NESREA, SRADev Advocate Responsible Battery Recycling

By Ojugbele Omotunde

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Sustainable Research and Action for Sustainable Environment (SRADev) have called for responsible battery recycling in Nigeria.

The call was made on Monday at a workshop hosted by the Ogun State Ministry of Environment and financed by the Initiative for Global Solidarity in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The workshop, titled “Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET),” is a multi-stakeholder initiative in Nigeria aimed at promoting responsible battery recycling and responsible sourcing of secondary non-ferrous metals from Used Lead Acid Batteries.

Stakeholders from Lagos and Ogun states’ ministries of environment and civil society organizations attended the workshop.

Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director General of NESREA (represented by Isa Abdu Abdussalam, Director of Inspection and Enforcement, NESREA), welcomed stakeholders to the workshop focused on promoting responsible used battery and non-ferrous metal recycling.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation to address Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges, including the presence of toxic heavy metals in batteries used in automobiles and alternative energy systems.

Jauro highlighted the dangers associated with inappropriate handling of lead-acid batteries during recycling, which poses threats to human safety and environmental contamination.

Exposure to these batteries in Nigeria has led to serious health issues such as memory loss, high blood pressure, neurological disorders, kidney damage, and even death.

NESREA, established by the federal government, aims to uphold international environmental agreements for sustainable development and enforce adherence to environmental regulations.

Ola Oresanya, the Commissioner for the Environment of Ogun State, commended all stakeholders for their efforts in promoting ethical battery recycling and emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting battery and non-ferrous metal recycling to develop a shared roadmap.

Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev, stressed the workshop’s significance for the health and welfare of local communities.

Oba Kazeem Gbadamosi, the Oba of Ogijo, expressed concern over the reckless disposal of battery waste in his kingdom and urged regulators to adopt global best practices in handling such hazardous waste.