The ICT authority has conducted awareness training on e-waste management and disposal to stakeholders in government to ensure they dispose of the waste in a way that preserves the environment.
Speaking during the training at the Busia County commissioner’s conference hall, Stephen Otieno, officer ICT Authority said the training will ensure there is efficient disposal of e-waste in an amicable way and managed efficiently.
“E-waste contributes to the environment at a rate of 25%. This percentage is at a higher rate in third world countries because many people are not aware of how e-waste is supposed to be disposed of and managed effectively. The awareness training will now give a chance of dissemination of the information to the public on e-waste management,” he said.
Otieno further stated that the Authority has received over 2,000 equipment from the stakeholders and some of the devices have been refurbished, repaired and disposed of.
“We are still receiving more wastes from the organisations and we have been managing them in an effective way,” he said.
The official further said that there is need for more sensitisation to ensure that everyone is aware of e-waste management.
Otieno noted that there is the need of having central collection points of wastes before they are taken to the ICT authority.
“There is a need to have a collection point at every county so that these devices can be collected as they wait to be taken to the Authority. This will help in adequate management of e-waste at the collection point and they should be mobilised at a central point. This can happen through the agreement between the authority and the county governments,” he said.
Busia county director of Environment (NEMA) Cliff Barkatch stated that e-waste affects human life and there is a need for management of the waste.
“When e-waste is poorly disposed of, it destroys our soil and water and even gets to the food chain and affects health together with the environment,” he said.
Barkatch further stated that there is a responsibility of the e-waste producers to ensure waste is separated at the source.
“There is a chain of e-waste custody from producer-transporters to the recycler both licensed by the authority. This will ensure the waste doesn’t go to non-designated areas. The law also requires the producer’s follow-up their product to the end of its life,” he said
He also stressed on the need of establishing more collection centres across the counties adding that it will help in addressing the e-waste management.
“There is a need of establishing collection centers across the nation for us to be able to handle the issue of e-waste management. The authority should also handle the concern of transportation of the waste which mostly is at a cost of the stakeholder.
Stakeholders led by Teso South Deputy County Commissioner, John Kichwen stated the need of having more awareness training so that there is more understanding on the importance of e-waste management.
“This is a good initiative because if the public gets this information on how to manage e-waste then our environment will be safe because this has remained one of the polluters of our environment. We also urge the authority to establish a way of collaboration with the departments in ensuring there is collection of e-waste for this will make the collection more effective and efficient,” said the DCC.
By Wandera Evans and Rodgers Omondi