Draft Business Plan for Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the Africa Region

(BCCC-Nigeria), University of Ibadan, Nigeria

2009-2011

September 2009

CONTENTS

1.0 Executive Summary

II INFORMATION ON THE CENTRE

A)Vision

B)Background

C)Legal Structure

D)Contact Information

III THE CENTER AND BASEL CONVENTION

A)Performance of Core Functions

B)Oppurtuinities for improvement

C)Cooperation with the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention and the SAICM.

D)Partnership Activities

E)Regional Needs Assessment

IV PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

A)Maintenance of the Centre and staff training activities

B)Activities for the implementation of the Strategic Plan

C)Other Capacity Building Activities

V FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A)Financial information about the Centre (optional)

B)Main Partnership Institutions

C)Proposed budget for activities (2009-2011)

Annexure:

I – List of focal points and endorsement

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Business Plan prepared for the period 2009-2011 aims to continue the implementation of the Ministerial Declaration and the Strategic Plan of the Basel Convention to 2011, taking into account the realities and needs of developing countries in the African Region. The activities and projects proposed uphold the lines of the previous Business Plan and build on the experience acquired while embracing the "vision of the Coordinating Centre for consolidated conjunction with the Regional Centres, as the leading institution for the countries of Africa in the process of capacity building, strengthening and specialization toward minimizing health and environmental risks by means of integrated hazardous waste and substances management,within a framework of sustainable development”.

The plan is formulated contemplating the need to conceptualize the projects, programmes and activities of an integrated hazardous waste and substances management scenario, paying attention to the life cycle of substances and products, hence, its execution is expected to contribute facilitating the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions as a whole.

The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Africa (BCCC-Nigeria) sees itself as a strategic actor, facilitating the processes of national and regional capacity building and strengthening through training of the key actors in environmentally sound hazardous waste and substances management, as well as the preparation and divulgation of specialized information. The execution of regional projects, in coordination with the Basel Convention Regional Centres (BCRCs, is thought to be a basic strategy for the transference of technology and successful experiences.It is in this sense that for this period 2009-2011 have identified the following strategic lines of action:

a).Strengthening the BCCC-Nigeria and its relationship with the Basel Convention Regional Centres (BCRCs) of Africa to position the network of Centres of the Basel Convention as leaders in the control and environmentally sound management of hazardous substances and wastes;

b).Development and strengthening awareness programs and outreach in the field of hazardous waste by integrating all the areas covered by the Convention;

c).Strengthening national capacities of countries in the region to implement the obligations of the Convention through training and transfer of technology for minimizing waste generation and prompt the environmentally sound management of hazardous substances and wastes, minimizing health and the environment risks and supporting synergy in the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and StockholmConventions.

d).Development of database for information sharing and management and networking amongst the African countries

The budget for 2009-2011consists of USD 150,000, corresponding to the Coordinating Centre’s essential activities, and USD 3,678,000, corresponding to the activities and projects whose execution during the term is considered possible. For the execution of these projects and activities, a number of cooperation agencies have been preliminarily identified—one of the very first activities of the term being negotiating agreements that allow for the availability of the necessary funds. The support of the Secretariat of Basel Convention is considered essential in securing agreements.

I.0 INFORMATION ON THE CENTRE

A) Vision

Africa region has BCCC-Nigeria as the pivotal hub for the development of effective integrated technological, infrastructural, socio-economic and human capital solutions to mainstream environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and chemicals based on Life Cycle Approach’ including the control of illegal traffic, as well as raise awareness and education of the stakeholders towards contributing to the improvement of protection of the environment and human health.

B) Background

The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region is based at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. It is the first and oldest Basel Centre having been established in 1994 by decision VI of Basel COP 3. The Centre is hosted by the Federal Ministry of Environment on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Centre receives financial assistance from the Nigerian Government, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture IITA, Basel Convention Trust Fund, Rotterdam Convention, UNITAR, British Council, United Kingdom; and the EU.

The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African region is the focal point as well as entry point for articulating African region wide needs, including policy issues, infrastructural and financial resources, capacity building and low cost yet effective technologies for hazardous waste prevention and control; as well as the promotion of intra-regional cooperation and experience sharing in active collaboration with the BCRCs in Egypt, Senegal and South Africa.. The Centre coordinates activities of the Basel Convention Regional Centres in Egypt (for Arab speaking African countries), Senegal (for French speaking African countries) and South Africa (for English speaking African countries). It serves the whole Africa Region including Nigeria the host country. As a national institution it has mandate to serve as the Federal Ministry of Environment – University of Ibadan Linkage Centre for Cleaner Production Technology and Hazardous Waste Management. The Centre became fully operational in September 2004 when the Federal Ministry of Environment built office complex for dedicated use of the Centre.

Some of the Recent activities undertaken by the Centre include project on the feasibilityof regional and or international recycling cooperation ine-waste, regulatory needs, its possible impactson income generation and poverty alleviation,as well as issues regarding occupational healthand safety and environmentally sound management(2008). The project had the following out come:

(i)The development of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2008 ) on technical cooperation between BCCC-Nigeria and Reclaimed Appliances Limited, a British international E-waste Recycling Company based in Lincolnshire , United Kingdom for the establishment of E-waste Recycling Plant in Lagos, Nigeria.This is a good model of Partnership Agreement between BCCC-Nigeria and an international private sector organization which model can be replicated in the BCRCs of Africa and other developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Other recent activities which include the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) include the following projects already carried out by the Centre: :

  1. Recycling of slag (waste) containing 12% lead into building bricks and ceramic tiles for low cost housing. A good example of Waste to Wealth project with potential for job creation and poverty alleviation(this research is awaiting patenting); (2007) . Four publications in reputable international journals came out of this research work. 2 PhD graduates and 6 Msc graduates have been produced from this research.
  1. Assessment and recycling of used oilsin Nigeria (2005): Towards environmentally sound management of used oils in Nigeria. It is intended that the results and lessons learned from this project willbe replicated in other countries within the Africa region and be used to develop a regional Template for Used Oil recycling In Africa. National and Regional workshops were held On Used Oil Recycling In Africa in June and September 2005 respectively.The study and the workshops were funded by the Basel Convention Trust Fund. One scientific publication in a reputable international journal came out already from this work.
  1. Input into the Study on the dumping of electrical and electronicwaste (e-waste) in Nigeria and Africa, with theBasel Action Network (BAN), entitled “The DigitalDump, Exporting Re-use and Abuse to Africa”(2005); 1 PhD student and 8 Msc. students have graduated and worked on heavy metals content of components of used computers and mobile phones; as well as studied the environmental impact of open burning of used computers in parts of Nigeria. 15 publications in reputable international journals on e-waste have emanated from the research studies.
  1. Active participation in SAICM activities as Member African Core Group of SAICM. It is noteworthy that the Director, BCCC-Nigeria proposed the nomination of e-waste as emerging policy issue through the Africa Core Group (ACG) of SAICM to the SAICM Secretariat which nomination was accepted. He was appointed the facilitator for the discussions on e-waste as emerging policy issue during the second International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) held during 11-15 May 2009 in Geneva. The Director of BCCC-Nigeria is also Co- chair of the Basel Convention Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE).
  1. Application of World Bank’s Model: Industrial Pollution Projection System (IPPS); for the estimation of Sectoral Pollution Load including Hazardous Waste in Lagos(2004- 2008). 3 publications from this research work in international journals are available on the research.
  1. Hosting (in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria; UNITAR and Swedish KemI) Global Harmonized System (GHS) of Classificationand Labeling of Chemicals - GHS Pilot Testing Workshop ( 28-29 July 2009) at the University of Ibadan, Conference Centre, Nigeria. The objective of the workshop was to test the training modules on the GHS with a pilot audience in order to revise and adapt then for use in the Africa region, to strengthen capacities to implement the GHS in line with global and regional efforts.
  1. Hosting a meeting of UNIDO Experts from University of Wales, UNIDO Country Programme Officer and officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment on the establishment of a Geo-Environmental Research Centre (GRC) in 23-27 June 2009 at the BCCC-Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria; nominated the Centre to host the new GRC. BCCC-Nigeria through its Director Prof O. Osibanjo has been involved in Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) studies and research through his research students since the 1980s in the subject of POPs. To that end plans are underway to site the Geo-environmental Research Center/Laboratory at the BCCC-Nigeria at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. This will enhance the Center’s versatility and the delivery of national and regional delivery of set goals; An MOU will soon be signed with UNIDO and Federal Ministry of Environment in this regard.
  1. National consultation and Workshop to identify elements of aNational Action Plan for the implementation ofthe Rotterdam Convention in Nigeria (January2008); Workshop was Organized jointly by BCCC—Nigeria with Rotterdam Convention Secretariat Geneva; FAO Regional Office for Africa Accra and the Federal Ministry of Environment was held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  1. Regional workshop on successful case studies ofrecycling, reuse and resource recovery methodswithin the framework of the environmentallysound management of hazardous wastes andthe implementation of the Basel Convention inAfrica (August 2004);was held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The workshop was funded by the Basel Convention Trust Fund.
  1. National Training workshops on Dioxins and Furans in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria facilitated for the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria (2003).

Currently the Centre is about to implement the following projects :

  1. Secretariat of Basel Convention project from October 2009 on E-WASTES AFRICA PROJECT : Building local capacity to address the flow of e-wastes and electrical and electronic products destined for reuse in selected African countries and augment the sustainable management of resources through the recovery of materials in e-wastes, with European Union EU funding. The time frame is 3 years beginning from 2009 . The provisional list of countries involved is : Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Tunisia and Egypt. The project will be implemented by:BCRC-Sénégal, BCCC-Nigeria and in BCRC-Egypt., IMPEL, EMPA and the Oko-Institute.
  1. The Seventh Framework Programme Cooperation of the EU, titled “ INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT IN WEST AFRICA (IWWA)’’ under Coordinating and Support Actions funding scheme. The project has been approved by EU for West Africa but would soon take off. Work programme topics to be addressed are ENV 2009.3.1.3.1 Supporting Sustainable Nationwide and Local Waste processing Industry in African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries: Legal framework, economicalincentives, and business-organizational know-how. The project duration is 2 years from 2010. IWWA project proposes an alternative for the empowerment of authorities, policy makers and key stakeholders that have a role in the Waste Management. The project will contribute to the improvement of solid waste management systems in Western Africa, by promoting appropriate management policies at national and regional levels and gathering authorities,policy makers and other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, general public, etc.) in the design of waste management practices, with the support of African and European experts in the field of Solid Waste Management (SWM). This initiative will be focused on 4 targeted countries in Western Africa: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. The situation in these countries is representative of the overall situation in Western Africa, and project results will provide synergies for the establishment ofsustainable solid waste management systems across the region.
  1. British Council,, UK Partnership Project Grant titled ‘’ Developing the Training and Education needed for an increasingly environmentally regulated Africa’’ was negotiated since 2008 and has recently been approved. The project has 2 years duration in the first phase. The project will involve directly a company which is about establishing a recycling business in Nigeria, Reclaimed Appliances Limited UK in partnership with BCCC-Nigeria and Northampton University, UK to ensure that training and skills development meets the needs of the regulated community and also provides a direct source of employment for students completing the course. Initially the project will concentrate on waste electrical and electronic equipment which has been the subject of much international media interest. See box below on elements of the project.

. British Council UK –BCCC Nigeria- Northampton University Project Plan 2010-2012

-Visit to Ibadan by UK project team to finalise details of training and education required. This will result in the development of a series of learning outcomes to develop a module that can be used by the University of Ibadan as part of their existing provision or as stand alone short courses.

-Workshop in Ibadan on sustainable wastes management with emphasis on the opportunities that increasing environmental regulation offers.

-Discussions with Reclaimed Appliances, and other local businesses and enterprises in Africa to determine their training needs.

- Visit to Northampton by African project team to appraise current provision in Uk and meet with Northampton Business School to determine requirement for business start up provision and support.

- Intensive placement in Northampton by member of African project team to shadow business start up staff and site visits to waste management companies.

- Existing material adapted to African context

- review of material by Nigerian government (environment) and Uk Environment Agency to determine appropriateness and relevance

- Workshops in Ibadan to train/ assist existing staff in delivering new materials

- Web space / chat room established to allow UK and African staff to exchange ideas and progress, this will be extended to enable students to communicate directly with each other.

  1. Development of a database of African Experts; Proven and Successful Technologies in the area of hazardous wastes management. for use by countriesin the Africa region;
  1. The Centre with the assistance of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention submitted for Ghana, a Quick Start Project under SAICM entitled “Strengthening the capacity of Ghana to monitor and control the transboundary movements of chemicals and hazardous wastes and ensure their environmentally sound management” . The Project is awaiting approval from the SAICM Secretariat.
  1. Application of Life Cycle Assessment to Hazardous Waste Management especially e-waste, Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB), Used Oil, etc in the African Region.No funding is available yet.
  1. Activities towards the establishment of a Sub-regional Geo-Environmental Research Centre (GRC) in BCCC-Nigeria with funding from GEF/UNIDO and counterpart funding from the Federal Ministry of Environment. The Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria; nominated the Centre to host the new GRC with the objective of handling POPs contaminated sites under GEF/UNIDO Post POPs NIP activities. The Director Of BCCC-Nigeria Prof O. Osibanjo has been involved in Persistent OrganicPollutants (POPs) studies and researchthrough his research students since the 1980s.He has many publications to this effect in international journals.
  1. National consultation and Workshop to identify elements of aNational Action Plan for the implementation ofthe Rotterdam Convention in Nigeria (January2008); Workshop was Organized jointly with Rotterdam Convention Secretariat Geneva; FAO Regional Office for Africa Accra and the Federal Ministry of Environment was held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  1. Regional workshop on successful case studies ofrecycling, reuse and resource recovery methodswithin the framework of the environmentallysound management of hazardous wastes andthe implementation of the Basel Convention inAfrica (August 2004);was held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The workshop was funded by the Basel Convention Trust Fund.
  1. National Training workshops on Dioxins and Furansin Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria facilitated for the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria (2003).

C) Legal Structure

The Basel Convention Coordinating Centre For the Africa Region based in Nigeria is an entity hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria with a regional mandate accorded to the Centre by decision VI/3 of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes.