ASABA/Nigeria: The National Environmental Standards and Regulators Enforcement Agency (NESREA) conducted a capacity-building workshop on Used Lead Battery Recycling in Nigeria on Monday.
The event, held in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) and various civil society organizations, aimed to improve understanding and compliance with the newly launched National Battery Regulation.
During the workshop, NESREA’s Director-General and CEO, Dr. Innocent Barikor, emphasized the importance of grassroots awareness regarding the new regulation. “We need stakeholder buy-in for the regulations to be understood,” he stated, highlighting the necessity of engaging stakeholders in the regulatory process.
Barikor underscored NESREA’s responsibility to enforce these regulations within the legal framework. He urged stakeholders in the recycling value chain to conduct their operations in an environmentally responsible manner, prioritizing public health.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADev, echoed these sentiments, explaining that the workshop focused on raising awareness about the next steps in Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling. He noted that the sector has been neglected for too long, with dangerous practices exposed by civil society organizations.
“Investigations revealed that some recycling operations by expatriates did not meet standard best practices,” he said.
Adogame added that prior to their intervention, harmful practices in the ULAB sector had led European countries to sever business ties with Nigerian suppliers. “We are bringing in experts to teach stakeholders internationally acceptable models for recycling ULAB in Nigeria,” he explained, noting that the initiative is supported by funding from the German government.
Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, highlighted the significance of the workshop in reducing exposure to lead poisoning. He stated that the capacity-building efforts would facilitate the implementation of standard regulations in Anambra.
“Anambra people are known for their industrial capabilities. Moving forward, we will ensure that those in the battery value chain operate within the context of the regulations,” Odimegwu concluded.
