Khairul Alam: Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said that electronics waste (e-waste) is a big challenge for the environment. Valuable resources and health must be protected from the growing threat of e-waste. There is a lot of lack of awareness among people regarding e-waste.
Wide public awareness should be created about its harmful aspects. The minister urged the government as well as digital equipment manufacturers to come forward to save the environment and environment from the harmful effects of e-waste.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Walton Laptop Exchange Offer Session-3 Declaration Program’ organized by Walton at Walton Corporate Office Auditorium, Bashundhara, Dhaka today ( August 24).
The Minister of Posts and Telecom highlighted the need to stop smuggling or illegal entry of expired digital devices or any kind of goods and said, we cannot become a dumping station for electronic goods from other countries.
The minister said that e-waste management is a difficult task. Successful management of e-waste will greatly benefit all communities. Highlighting its 37 years of experience in the world of digital technology, the minister said, Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina overcame a last 14 years to lead the Fifth Industrial Revolution in Technology.
The minister highlighted the need for proper investment in research for innovation and said that a Chinese technology company is lagging behind the whole of Europe and the US while continuing to invest heavily in research.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), informal processing of e-waste harms the health of millions of children, adolescents and pregnant mothers worldwide. There is an urgent need for effective and mandatory measures for their protection.