On Thursday in Abuja, the federal government inaugurated an inter-agency committee to ensure an e-waste-free environment at the end of the digital switchover in Nigeria.

A statement issued by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency said the committee comprised officials of NESREA and the National Broadcasting Commission.

She said the committee was set up to strengthen the collaboration between the two agencies in the management of e-waste.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee, NESREA director-general Aliyu Jauro said the hazardous content inherent in e-waste posed a threat to human health and the environment.

Mr Jauro said there was a need to ensure that wastes were handled in an environmentally sound manner.

He mentioned that NESREA had taken necessary steps to rid the country of e-waste by developing and operationalising the National Environmental (Electrical and Electronic Sector) Regulations, 2022.

Mr Jauro said the regulations were revised and ready for gazetting and that a guide for importers of used electrical and electronic equipment had been developed, noting that registration of importers of electrical and electronic equipment had been carried out to regulate their activities.

According to him, NESREA has also conducted training for importers of used electrical and electronic equipment on the effects of the importation of e-waste in the country.

Mr Jauro explained that the high point in the management of e-waste in the country was the successful execution of the Global Environmental Facility-funded project with notable accomplishments in Lagos, where the pilot project was carried out.

He stated that under the project, NESREA established 30 collection centres in Lagos, upgraded two recycling facilities, and trained government regulators in the e-waste value chain.

Mr Jauro expressed his delight at the collaboration between NESREA and NBC, which he said would proffer solutions to e-waste from the broadcasting sector.

(NAN)