The Federal Government has unveiled the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024, aimed at tackling the challenges associated with battery waste management in the country.
The battery control regulations were launched on Thursday in Abuja at an event organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency with support from the Nigerian Energy Support Programme and some international partners.
In his keynote address at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, pointed out the importance of battery control regulations in ensuring the safe and environmentally sound management of batteries throughout their entire lifecycle, from production and usage to disposal.
Lawal said the new regulations are designed to address the environmental and health risks posed by improper battery disposal, particularly in the informal sector, which has been largely unregulated.
“Batteries, especially those used in the renewable energy, telecommunications, and automotive sectors, are vital to Nigeria’s economic development,” the minister noted.
He added that the improper handling of batteries poses serious environmental and health challenges, including soil, air, and water contamination.
