Africa Must Unite Against Environmental Threats, NESREA DG Urges
The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Innocent Barikor, has urged African countries to work together and speak with one voice against environmental challenges threatening the continent.
Barikor made this request in Abuja while speaking at the International Conference on Upgrading the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Sector. He stressed the need for African countries to adopt unified standards on environmental issues. He said this would ensure that investors on the continent comply with the unified standard, regardless of the country they operate in.
According to Barikor: “Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) in Africa are not as close as expected. It suggests we are not giving the environment the attention it deserves on the continent. To get it right as far as environment is concerned, the managers of EPAs in Africa must work together because they are closest to the Ministers of Environment. It is only then we can achieve environmental sustainability in the Region.”
He called on Africa to rise from the conference with a resolve to promote sound management of Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs) on the continent.
The Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), Dr Leslie Adogame, emphasized the need for the government to ensure that the country’s recycling facilities operate in accordance with global best practices.
On the second day of the conference, delegates from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and Tanzania shared insight on the state of ULAB recycling in their countries. Experts also proffer solutions, including incentives and enforcement measures.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with SRADeV, organised the two-day conference on behalf of Oeko-Istitut Germany.
It had participation from 55 organizations, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, academia, the media, development partners, recyclers, telecommunication operators, and traditional rulers from different parts of the world.
