Greg Odogwu
gregodogwu@yahoo.com 08063601665
The recent report from the International Telecommunications Union should wake us up to the impending danger from e-waste overload on the Nigerian environment. According to the ITU, a United Nations’ arm in charge of global telecommunications, approximately 60,000 to 71,000 tonnes of used electrical and electronic equipment were imported yearly into Nigeria through the two main ports in Lagos since 2015
For those who may not be aware of what we are talking about, e-waste (short form of electronic waste) is the name for electronic products that have come towards the end of their useful life. This can include computers, monitors, televisions, stereos, copiers, printers, fax machines, cellphones, dvd players, cameras, batteries, and many more electronic devices. Used electronic devices can be reused, resold, salvaged, recycled or disposed. In Nigeria, there are several “special markets” for these type of wares, especially the ones that are directly imported into the country.
In Lagos, the famous Ladipo Market is one of them, where imported used electronic equipment are separated into two categories for commercial purposes. They are the “tested” and the “non-tested” products. Usually, the tested ones are the equipment that are still able to serve the buyer for some considerable length of time; while the non-tested is the “at your own risk” product – cheaper, but as unpredictable as a rabid dog. That is the type the Igbo would call “Oso chi egbu” (rough translation: as capricious as the gods).
Whereas Abuja cannot boast of any importation hub, it still has locally organised e-waste markets dotting the city landscape in the so-called Abuja Satellite Towns. Popularly known as “Pan Takers” – I am not sure of the correct spelling – these are where “Nigeria-used” electronic equipment are sold. The products are highly suspicious because robbers also “dispose” hot items here in the name of used gadgets. Therefore, the trusted e-waste are the ones from Lagos. No doubt, because of the high rate of poverty in the country, Nigerians patronise this e-waste as an accepted commercial value chain. And, here lies the problem.
The environment is the direct victim. Computers and most electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, zinc, nickel, flame retardants, barium, and chromium. Specifically, lead is notorious for having far-reaching negative impact. If released into the environment, lead can cause damage to human blood, kidneys, as well as central and peripheral nervous systems. It is most harmful to children and foetus in the womb. Remember the Zamfara lead poisoning that killed 500 children in 2011? Yes, that was lead (in gold ore) doing the damage.
Secondly, when e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released into the air damaging the atmosphere. This atmospheric impact is a big impact in our clime because of our hot climate. Imported e-waste air-conditioners, hot plates and generators have become common items even among the elite.
Thirdly, when e-waste is thrown away in landfills, their toxic materials seep into groundwater, affecting both land and sea animals; also affecting the health of the people in developing countries like Nigeria, where most of the electronic waste are dumped on arrival because they are part of the “non-tested” genre!
Fourthly, only 10 percent of cellphones are recycled even in the most advanced countries. People get new phones every other year, and this is creating more and more e-waste as the numbers are exponentially rising. There was a research that announced that in Guiyu, China, many of the residents exhibit substantial digestive, neurological, respiratory and bone problems. Interestingly, Guiyu is the largest e-waste disposal site in China, and receives shipments of toxic e-waste from all over the world.
We should be worried because, owing to the fact that we do not have research institutions that track developmental indices, we may already be experiencing the adverse effects of e-waste dumping. Latest findings indicate that, while Nigeria generate e-waste owing to various unused electronic materials, developed countries, including Germany, China, United Kingdom, Belgium and the USA still ship huge tonnes of e-waste into Africa.
According to the ITU, Africa generated 2.9 mega tonnes of e-waste as of 2019. Americas 13.1Mt, Europe 12Mt, Asia 24.9 Mt, and Oceania 0.7Mt. We must note that in as much as Africa generated a meagre tonnage, after the developed world ships theirs to us, we become deluged with mega e-waste challenge.
Further analysis showed that, in West Africa, Nigeria was highest; Ghana came second with 52.9kilotonnes, and Cote d’Ivoire third with 30kt. In East Africa, Ethiopia led with 58.3kt; followed by Kenya 51.2kt and Tanzania at 50.2kt. in the north, Egypt led with 585.8kt followed by Algeria 308.6kt and Morocco 164.5kt. South Africa led the Southern region with 415.5kt, followed by Botswana 18.8kt, and Namibia is third with 15.7kt.
The report noted that, since 2017, the number of studies on the adverse health effects from e-waste had increased. It stressed that studies had continued to highlight dangers to human health from exposure to well-studied toxins, such as lead. The ITU research had found that unregulated e-waste recycling was associated with increasing numbers of adverse health effects, including adverse birth outcomes, altered neurodevelopment, adverse cardiovascular effects, adverse respiratory effects, and adverse effects on the immune system, skin diseases, hearing loss, and cancer.
The report said adults and children could be exposed by inhaling toxic fumes and particulate matter, through skin contact with corrosive agents and chemicals, and by ingesting contaminated food and water. The UN body said some hazardous chemicals can be passed from mothers to children during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
With the above gory scenario, one would think that the Nigerian government is on its feet ensuring that e-waste menace is tackled. The truth is scary too: The federal government is doing absolutely nothing in this respect. As far as the ticking time bomb from e-waste is concerned, Nigeria is a sitting duck.
Firstly, as far as importation is concerned, e-waste is business for the boys at the ports. All sorts of end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment find their way into our shores because inspection and quarantine procedures are weak and uncoordinated. The officers at the ports have more important things on their plate to bother about stopping “a harmless used electronic”. The importers take advantage of the confusion and usually talk and bribe their “rotten” electronic equipment into the country.
Secondly, about the electronic and electrical equipment used in Nigeria. There are no strong regulations to force the manufacturers into taking responsibility for the end-of-life and waste from their products, as done in saner climes. This is not saying that we do not have a government agency whose duty it is to enforce control of e-waste. Indeed, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency has already designed the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme, many years ago, to tackle the e-waste menace. But the agency, blaming paucity of funds, has yet to commence the programme.
In 2014, the National Assembly convened a National Stakeholders meeting for “industries and businesses” in order to galvanise the EPR. But up till this moment, nothing has been done. Sadly, from the current NDDC probe drama in the House, we are forced to realize that there is money to tackle e-waste; the problem is that our leaders do not see it as a problem. They have turned themselves into tin gods, and decided to become “Oso chi egbu” to the Nigerian citizens. Therefore, just like the “non-tested” e-waste, they have no qualms in killing the people who have invested hope in them!
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