Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed plans to formulate regulations on e-waste as part of its commitment to ensuring a sanitized environment.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, made the disclosure while speaking at the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), held in Abuja.
He said the proposed regulation will also put into consideration the business case and vast potential for wealth creation in recycling e-waste into more benign and productive uses.
He said, as part of its regulatory efforts in dealing with issues of sanitizing the environment, NCC would commence activities that will result in the formulation of a regulation on e-waste in the country.
Professor Danbatta stated that occupying global concern and attention is the for the regulation of e-waste which he said is two-pronged.
“First, is the acute awareness of the hazardous properties and the potential risk to human health, as well as their capacity to degrade the environment.
“Secondly, is the business case and vast potential for wealth creation in recycling e-waste into more benign and productive uses,” he added.
The NCC EVC disclosed that, in this regards, the Commission has been working, with other relevant agencies, to develop a regulation on e-waste.
The effort of the Commission, Danbatta said was line with its regulatory mandate and to keep pace with efforts at managing e-waste-related issues.
He said this would be done in a manner that will reduce cases of indiscriminate burning of electronic devices with the potential for increased carbon emission in the environment.
“The regulations will represent a holistic intervention aimed at providing clarity and delimiting the responsibilities of various stakeholders in the e-waste value chain within the telecommunications industry.
“While the proposed regulations are industry-specific, they, nonetheless, key into other initiatives at national and international levels,” the NCC EVC said.
Restating the concern for a safe environment, Danbatta said NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) will, in the course of the year, sensitize telecom consumers about the various interventions aimed at making the environment better for all of humanity.
The CAB, he said, will carry this out as part of its Consumer Education mandate, with a significant part of this effort dedicated to providing information that equips the consumer to thrive in a world that has embraced digital finance.
He said the CAB will sensitize consumers on how renewable energy benefits them and their role in achieving industry transition to it in the interest of the environment.
This he said will be made possible through the CAB outreach programmes, which have continued to re-tool to reflect existing realities and trends.
The CAB will use its consumer-centric initiatives, including Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR), Telecom Consumer Conversations (TCC) as well as social media platforms and Consumer Portal, to sensitize the consumers.
“The CAB will develop and produce various consumer education materials such as flexi and roll-up banners, and handbills, and update its Consumer Handbook to include the message about renewable energy,” he added.
Professor Danbatta also announced the launching of the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk, in the Arrival Lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2023 WCRD.
“The TELCARE Desk in Abuja will be a pilot as we plan to set up the desk at strategic locations across the country to provide information to telecom consumers.
The TELCARE Desk serves as an additional platform to receive and facilitate the resolution of consumer complaints.
It also provides a means through which consumers and citizens can make inquiries on consumer issues,and it is a platform for advocacy on any thematic consumer issue or concerns; to further enhance awareness of the Commission’s activities.
Danbatta said the theme of the WCRD 2023, “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transition”, will form part of the consideration of the Commission’s regulatory mandate.
“We are committed to responsibly using the world’s resources, including protecting the environment by supporting the industry to transition to renewable energy,” he added.
