Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Saturday (Feb 2) said a policy on managing e-waste was at its final stage.
“It is currently with the law ministry,” he said at a roundtable discussion organised by Telecom Reporters’ Network Bangladesh (TRNB) in the city.
Jabbar sat with the officials of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and telecom reporters’ association TRNB, to hold discussion on e-waste management at a city hotel Saturday (Feb 2), local media reports said.
“The government will give much priority to the issue,” Jabbar said. “We are looking into the matter sincerely and measures will be taken for proper management.”
“E-waste can’t be reduced. Our use of electronics and digital products will increase,” the minister said.
“City corporations and municipalities are now managing e-waste but after 10 years, union parishads will have to get involved in the management.”
“The people will be interested [to cooperate] if e-waste is bought at good prices. E-waste collection will soon start at five spots in the city within one month. Collection points will eventually be set up across the country,” he said.
BTRC Chairman Md Jahurul Haque, Robi Managing Director & CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA) President Md Ruhul Amin Alam Al Mahbub, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Chief Waste Management Officer Md Abdur Razzak and BUET Prof Dr Rowshan Momtaz participated in the discussion chaired by TRNB President Zahidul Islam, and moderated by Secretary General Sameer Kumar Dey.
