Lagos State Government signed a Letter of Intent with a Netherlands-based company to develop a smelter plant in Lagos in an effort to alleviate the state’s electronic waste problem.
This was announced at state at the Lagos State secretariat on Friday, according to Nairametrics.
Commissioner of the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, signed on behalf of the Lagos State Government, stating the economic benefits of the project.
He added that the smelting factory would not only create jobs, but also a new economic sector by turning e-waste into valuable items.
Wahab cited the presence of the Netherlands’ Consul-General, Michel Deleen, as a vote of confidence in the company’s capabilities, stating that Lagos leads the way in e-waste management when compared to other states and nations in the region.
Wahab stated that Lagos creates around 13,000 tons of rubbish each day, with a substantial amount of it being technological waste.
He said that many residents are unaware of how to properly dispose of their electrical items, which increases environmental hazards.
Improper e-waste treatment can have serious environmental hazard, making this program critical to the state’s ecological well-being.
“You are the ones paying the tax, so the government provides infrastructure from the taxes you pay.
He added “As a good citizen you must always say something when the need arises”, he stated.
“We must take ownership of our environment,” Wahab stressed.
“Improper disposal of waste into drainage systems not only clogs our infrastructure but also jeopardizes the environment. As responsible citizens, it is our duty to report and prevent such activities.”
The collaboration seeks to convert trash into profit by recovering precious materials from e-waste.
The President of the Confederation of Dutch Industry and Employers, Ingrid Thijssen expressed enthusiasm over the partnership and predicted significant benefits for both parties.
E-waste refers to abandoned electronic gadgets such computers, smartphones, televisions, and other consumer electronics.
These products frequently include toxic elements such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can pose serious environmental and health dangers if not properly disposed of.
In Lagos, rapid technical innovation and increased consumption of electronic gadgets have resulted in an escalating e-waste epidemic.
