Lasepa Spots e-Waste Zones, Warns of Dangers

A group of scientists and environmentalists assembled by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (Lasepa) has found chemical and mixture that may be harmful to the environment and to human health if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin around the popular Alaba International Market where e-waste had been dumped, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now reveal.
The grave consequence has prompted the first coordinated response by the state government to tackle the dangers of the indiscriminate dumping of electrical/electronic waste.
The discovery followed the order handed Lasepa by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to investigate the claim by pro-environment Greenpeace International, that toxic electronic wastes were being dumped at Alaba International Market.
Engr. Rasheed Shabi, general manager, Lasepa, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that though the wastes have since been disposed, the soils need to be excavated in order to get rid of the toxic substances.
Shabi called for ban on the importation of used computer systems and other electrical appliances.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that Lasepa is however, working with Standard Organization of Nigeria (Son), Lagos State Waste Management Authority (Lawma) to manage e-waste and educate traders and residents of Alaba International on the dangers of toxic waste that can cause injury and even death to living creatures.
Elsewhere, the Senate has urged relevant agencies of the federal government to urgently take steps to regulate the influx of obsolete e-products into the country.