… As Anambra Gets set to witness Standardized, sustainable battery recycling sector
Clara Omuluzua Madubike | I-Witness News
Anambra State government ably represented by the honourable Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu attended the just concluded International conference on upgrading, standardizing of lead -acid battery recycling sector in the African region in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
The Conference, which brought to a close, activities under PROBAMET, was organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), on behalf of Oeko-Istitut Germany. Development partners present included Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS); Alliance for Rural Electrification, Platform Bei, the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling, and representatives from Kenya, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ghana.
Dr Odimegwu who is part of the project task team in “Partnership for responsible battery and metal recycling (PROBAMET) a project which aims to establish a standard industry for safe battery and metal in Nigeria which kicked off since september 2024 stated that ensuring reduced environmental and health risks associated with harmful materials in lead and metals is very parmount while we also promote a circular economy.
He expressed that Anambra state government look forward to the implementation of PROBAMET with partnership with NESREA and othet stakeholders, affirming that we are committed to working together to ensure that the principles of sustainability, environmental safety, and community health are upheld.
While interacting with the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET) team on the sidelines of the International Conference, The Honourable Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal pledged that the Nigerian government will sanitize the battery sector, while enforcing best practices in line with global acceptable standard. This also includes supporting recycling facilities that adhere to regulations and holding non-compliant ones accountable
Earlier in his welcome address at the opening of the Conference, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor expressed appreciation to the German Government for their support towards standardizing the battery recycling sector. He expressed that PROBAMET had laid a firm foundation while urging African countries to build on it by encouraging investments in cleaner and more efficient recycling technologies to mitigate environmental and health hazards; Strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to ensure sustainable industry participation in battery waste management; and enhancing regional cooperation to promote harmonized policies, facilitate cross-border knowledge exchange, and foster regulatory alignment across African nations.
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther, represented by the Programme Component and Implementation Manager for GIZ, Mr. Joshua Garba said the Germans would continue to support Nigeria to achieve sustainable management of used batteries.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Honourable Terseer Ugbor; the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Engr. Dr. Mrs B.H Abubakar ; Director General of the National Agency for Great Green Wall, Saleh Abubakar; Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya and the Ologijo of Ogijo Kingdom, Oba Kazeem Badamosi.
