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FG unveils national environmental battery control regulations

FG charges Lagos dredgers, miners on land degradation

The Federal Government has unveiled the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024 to prevent and minimise pollution and waste emanating from batteries in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regulations seek to ensure environmentally sound management of used batteries in the country.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, stated this at the unveiling of the document on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the regulations also sought to address the challenges of waste battery management in Nigeria.

Lawal said it was in line with the provisions and recommendations of the Basel and Bamako Conventions, and other related guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of hazardous waste.

The minister was represented by Mr Usman Bokani, Director, Pollution and Public Health, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

He said that batteries, particularly those used in renewable energy, telecommunication and automotive sectors, were critical to Nigeria’s economic development.

Lawal said that batteries contained hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium amongst others.

He said batteries when improperly disposed of, could lead to severe health conditions including cancer, kidney damage and neurological disorders.

” Vulnerable populations, particularly children, face the greatest risk from exposure to these toxic substances.

“These regulations aim to ensure the environmentally sound management of all types of batteries throughout their life cycle, from production, usage, collection, transportation, storage, recycling and disposal.

” The informal sector, which often handles waste batteries without regulation, significantly contributes to environmental pollution, including soil, air and water contamination,” he said.

In an address, Dr Innocent Barikor, Director-General, NESREA, said the regulations would support the Government’s efforts to ensure sustainable handling of waste batteries.

” The enforcement of this germane Regulation therefore would address the gaps in the abatement of unsound environmental practices in the entire Battery value chain.

” It will also prevent possible adverse health impacts on the target population, especially women and children who are vulnerably involved in the mishandling of batteries, especially Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs),” he said.

In a goodwill message, Rep. Pondi Gbabojor, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, said the regulation represented a significant milestone in stakeholders collective efforts to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

Gbabojor, who was represented by his deputy Rep. Terseer Ugbor, commended NESREA for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria environment.

He said that batteries are essential components in many of the devices and technologies that power our modern lives.

” However, improper disposal and management of batteries pose a significant threat to our environment and public health,” he said. (NAN)

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Yahaya Bello is not in our custody, still wanted – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports claiming embattled former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, is in their custody.

In a statement released on Wednesday, September 18, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the ex-governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges.”

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

Earlier today, Bello’s media team released a statement claiming he had honored the invitation from EFCC.

News

Police commences investigation into officer’s altercation with Elderly woman

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation into circumstances leading to the altercation captured on video between a police officer and an elderly woman.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the incident took place in the Alagbado area of Lagos State in the first week of September 2024.

In a statement released, the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Police Inspector and his supervising DSP have been brought in for questioning while the Complaint Response Unit has established contact with the woman in the video.

Hundeyin added that the Lagos State Police Command totally condemns the unprofessional conduct of the Inspector as it does not represent the ethics and operational standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

He stated that the command assures Lagosians that the investigation will be swift, thorough and conclusive while ensuring that the officers are disciplined as appropriate and members of the public are updated accordingly.

News

EFCC operatives storm Kogi Governor’s Lodge to arrest Yahaya Bello

In a dramatic turn of events, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Wednesday night in a mission to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

According to a statement released by the Director of Media, Ohiare Michael, the operatives arrived in an aggressive manner, allegedly firing shots sporadically around the premises.

The statement noted that Bello had voluntarily visited the EFCC office earlier in the day but was told to leave and return at a later time.

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.”

The media team expressed grave concern over the manner of the EFCC‘s actions, warning that the agency should be held accountable for any harm that might come to the ex-governor.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him,” the statement continued.

Bello’s team condemned the attack as unnecessary, stating that the former governor had already made himself available to the EFCC for questioning earlier in the day.

“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no questions to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him,” the statement said.

The media team accused the EFCC of using its powers for political purposes rather than fulfilling its mandate to combat corruption.

“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption,” the statement said.

As of now, no official statement has been made by the EFCC regarding the incident.