Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, Chairman, Environmental Services Ltd., has identified early obsolescence of electronics as a major cause of uncontrollable volumes of e-waste.
Osibanjo made the observation at a Waste Recycling Exposition in Lagos on Thursday.
The event was organised by E-terra Technology Ltd.
The environmentalist said that technological growth had resulted in early obsolescence of electronics, leading to an increase in e-waste.
“Early obsolescence of electronic products is causing production of uncontrollable large volumes of e-waste – 40 million to 50 million metric tonnes annually – fuelling near Tsunami level of export of e-waste from developed to developing countries, thereby globalising the e-waste problem.
“Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has facilitated importation of used computers and mobile phones from developed countries especially European and North American countries.
“Less than 20 per cent of the African population can afford a new Electrical Electronic Equipment (EEE).
“EEE is valuable to socio-economic development of Africa as most ICT activities including cybercafé, educational institutions and small businesses depend on imported secondhand computers and mobile phones.
“Their early obsolescence is contributing to e-waste,’’ Osibanjo said.
The Chief Executive Officer of E-terra Technology Ltd., Mr Ifeanyi Ochonogor, said that the e-waste crisis had become more hazardous and pervasive.
“In fact, it has been described as the ‘Trojan Horse’ of the technological age because these gadgets find their way into our homes, playgrounds and environments where we live and work.
“Improper exposure to them results to widespread damage to the individual household and corporate entity,” Ochonogor said.
He said that there was the need to recognise individuals and institutions contributing significantly to the e-waste management.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that E-terra Technology Ltd. gave Green Enablers Award to some organisations at the event.
The beneficiaries include the Federal Ministry of Environment, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Lagos state Environmental Protection Agency, Computer and Applied Phones Dealers Association of Nigeria and Prof. Oladele Osibanjo.
E-terra also gave Green Champions Award to some others including Union bank.
The awards are in recognition of the beneficiaries’ contributions to e-waste management.
