The Nigerian government is planning to set up centralised scrap metal dumps in the 36 states of the West African country in order to combat pollution. This massive project will be managed by a permanent committee, which has been in operation since 8 August 2022.
Nigeria is stepping up its efforts to combat ferrous scrap pollution. Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, has set up a permanent committee to establish centralised scrap metal dumps in all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.
The Director, Industrial Development Department (IDD), Ministry of Industry, Nigeria, chairs the committee whose tasks are to interface with the 36 state governments in the allocation of land for the dumping sites, develop an action plan for the operations of the centralised scrap metal dumping sites, propose measures that will eliminate smuggling and export of scrap metal and create a framework for sensitising local scrap metal collectors on the need to adopt the centralised scrap metal dumping site system.
Ensuring people’s health
The new committee will also explore funding options for the landfill project. A framework for flagship landfill sites will also be established in each state of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria on a pilot basis.
In the West African country, problems with unregulated dumping and recovery of scrap metal have led to vandalisation of public and private properties by thugs, unsorted/unclassified types of scrap metal and uncoordinated/unified pricing of scrap metal, among others. The objective now is to ensure the health of the population. Inhalation of dust or fumes containing iron or iron oxide particles can cause siderosis or overload pneumoconiosis.
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The project will also promote the growth and development of the iron and steel value chain, where waste and resource management is of paramount importance.
Inès Magoum
