NCC To Issue Regulation On e-Waste Soon – Danbatta Says

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BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is concluding plans to issue the regulation on e-waste.

This is as the Commission said that it is however mindful of the fact that many Information and Communication technology (ICT) and telecom devices have substantial plastic components, whose waste materials could worsen plastic pollution.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, who stated these, also announced that the NCC would soon unveil a costumers Handbook as soon as consultations with relevant stakeholders on the draft regulation on electronic waste (e-waste) are concluded.

Prof Danbatta, told journalists during a virtual press conference in commemoration of the 2021 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) held in Abuja, that the new Consumer Handbook produced by NCC in collaboration with the Industry Consumers Advisory Forum (ICAF), is a compendium of consumer information materials put together to enhance consumer education and protection.

Speaking on the theme of the WCRD 2020 tagged; “Tackling Plastic Pollution,” within the context of NCC’s activities, Prof Danbatta said the Commission had drafted the Nigerian Communications Industry E-Waste Regulations in 2018 with the objective to manage e-waste.

A statement issued by the director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, quoted Danbatta as having said that the regulation aims to promote reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery; improve environmental management system of operators in the telecom industry; and reduce greenhouse emissions as well as enhance sustainable development efforts.

Danbatta said: “In other words, we reckon that improper disposal of such disused ICT-plastic embedded products have grave implications on public health, and especially in achieving Goals 11, 12 and 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

“These goals speak to the imperative of adhering to practices that enhance Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production; as well as Climate Action respectively,” he said.

Danbatta also spoke about the NCC’s collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other relevant government agencies to inaugurate a committee to implement Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS).

He explained that the initiative is designed as a Public-Private Partnership aimed at combating the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned communication devices in the telecommunications industry.

Danabatta said the Commission would explore avenues for strategic collaboration with relevant government agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to the challenges of sub-standard equipment and e-waste in the country.

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