HOMEF has condemned the EU’s proposal to allow non-hazardous waste imports to Nigeria, asserting that it perpetuates a form of legal colonialism. The organization emphasizes the adverse consequences of accepting waste given Nigeria’s existing environmental issues and critiques the government’s willingness to enhance such risks. HOMEF urges a rejection of efforts to turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for foreign waste products.
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), a non-governmental organization, has expressed disapproval of a proposal introduced by the European Union (EU) aimed at allowing non-hazardous waste to be exported to Nigeria for recovery. HOMEF contends that Nigeria, along with various other African nations, has become the destination for obsolete and non-functional electronic waste, primarily sourced from several countries, including China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The organization perceives the EU’s request for Nigeria’s inclusion in the export list as a veiled attempt to perpetuate a form of legal colonialism. They assert that accepting any form of waste is particularly ill-conceived for Nigeria, a country already grappling with significant environmental challenges like oil pollution, plastics, and issues related to solid minerals.
Nnimmo Bassey, the executive director of HOMEF, criticized the Nigerian government’s willingness to import waste, stating that it neglects the health and well-being of citizens. He pointed out the absurdity of a nation with a life expectancy of approximately 56 years and a struggling healthcare system opting to receive waste from other countries.
HOMEF, along with concerned citizens, firmly opposes the government’s inclination to transform Nigeria into a dumping ground for foreign waste products. They caution that even waste deemed non-hazardous often contains harmful substances, raising environmental and health concerns.
The organization elucidated that wealthy nations often seek to commodify waste, enticing poorer countries into accepting waste in exchange for financial benefits. Notably, the EU reported the export of €18.5 billion worth of waste in 2023, though the consequences for recipient countries remain largely unaddressed by trade advocates.
HOMEF’s stance resonates with a controversial viewpoint expressed by Lawrence Summers, the World Bank Chief Economist in 1991, who suggested that transferring pollution to less developed countries is economically advantageous. This sentiment outlines a troubling reality wherein affluent nations offload their waste to regions deemed expendable for such purposes.
In summary, the ongoing geopolitical situation underscores the pressing need for environmental justice wherein nations prioritize their citizens’ welfare over degrading their countries into refuse dumps.
In conclusion, HOMEF’s strong opposition to the EU’s proposal reflects broader concerns regarding environmental and public health issues in Nigeria. The organization emphasizes that accepting foreign waste adds to the existing environmental challenges the nation faces. Ultimately, there is a call for the Nigerian government to reject any initiative that compromises the health of its citizens and the country’s ecological integrity.
Original Source: businessday.ng
