Nigeria have become the world dumping ground - German Newspappers

The German newspapers have uncovered that Nigeria have become the world Electronic Dumping ground.

It reads that millions of spoiled product are sent down to Africa daily in which the finally arrive to Nigeria.

According to the story; “Billstrasse”, a community, “about five kilometers from the port of Hamburg, is the hub of a global bill of exchange. Before the shops, old stereo systems and yellowed refrigerators are loaded daily in minivans” from where they make their way to West Africa with Nigeria as the ultimate destination.

With a population of over 170 million and borders so porous and corruptly manned, Nigeria often serves as the final destination for used goods from all over the world. 

The report from Spiegel Online indicates that most of the used electronics that end up in Africa’s biggest market, are polluting the living environments. This also means putting millions of Nigerians in harm’s way.

According to pulse.ng

According to the story; “Dismantled, old equipment contains hazardous chemicals and metals such as PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). For this reason, it is illegal to export the electrical waste to countries which have poorer recycling methods than their own. This is how the Basel Convention on the Control of Hazardous Wastes, which is anchored in EU law, was born.

“No African country has methods to adequately recycle toxic electronic waste. Although Germany made the decision in 2015 to test all used products before exporting, thousands of tonnes of electronic devices are shipped across the borders every year”.

The report suggests that lax border controls and endemic corruption aid and abet the practice of dumping hazardous electronics in Nigeria.

Nigeria's economy has long being a smuggling boon.

Customs and immigration officials in the country have often been accused of looking the other way and ripping apart quality control codes once their palms have been greased.

“Every day”, writes the Spiegel, “around fifty containers of used electronic goods arrive at West Africa's largest electrical market in Nigeria's million-kilometer Lagos. The traders at the Alaba International Market are accustomed to the fact that many of the imported products are not intact.

Some of the Nigeria believe that many of the Nigerian electricians use it for repairs but its becoming alarming.