I would also like to use this forum to thank Dr Ndemo for keeping a very open mind in our discussion on this subject in his office yesterday. Quoting aki <aki275@googlemail.com>:
Hello Victor, I'm sorry to have to disgagree on this one, as a techie. I'm against the ban on used computers to a certain level and I add my amatuer input to this thread. A lot of us started our careers in this industry on used computers way back to atari, ibm 286 ( in the 80s ).
We seem to trust 100% studies done and assuming that this time around the studies were actually based on hard facts, then such a study does confirm that there are thousands of kenyans depend on the used computer industry. It would be quite helpful to read these studies done so as to confirm whether the problem is used computers or that the failure of no facilites in kenya that can handle such waste. Whatever the agencies are pushing for is, am sure, for the betterment of the enviroment but they are looking at short term solutions.
*I put forward this argument : The same brand new computer that you typed this email with will become obsolete in a matter of 2 years due to newer apps and technologies. What will you then do with it? Sell it as junk or dispose of it? We will be in the same e-waste situation. What will Kenya's solution be then? BAN NEW COMPUTERS? * ** Dr Ndemo, please do let us keep open minds on the used computers issue and try to create a balance rationale that a lot of kenyans still cannot afford a new one. Kenya ICT policies need to ensure that computers penetration into almost every home is a reality within a number of years, that we have productive kids who have access to computers both at school and at home.
- Wild card comment : To really get the envorimental agencies involved, they should also do a study on the air quality in Nairobi around peak traffic time and they could possibly confirm to kenyans that we are breathing in very unhealthy air. Lets go ahead and ban all those Diesel engines from trucks, matatus which should be complying with acceptable pollution standards. Let us also get CO testers so that all petrol engine vehicles on the roads are tuned to comply with pollution standards. And finally, let us not have half baked attempts at resolving enviromental problems. -
This mail is not meant to offend anyone.
Thank you.
Rgds. On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Victor Maloi <victormaloi3@gmail.com>wrote:
Listers, I hope everybody read the Thursday Star article on e-waste. The article quoted a study conducted locally and found out that we import thousands of tons in e-waste from developed countries. Environmental agencies are concerned. For every one used computer that ends up being used, there are ten to be juncked or to be used for canibalizing. Do we really need this in the country? In my view we should support the Government's proposal to ban the imports. My brief research shows those supporting this effort are themselves in the used electronics industry. In all honest the benefits do not justify our continued use of other people's waste. PS Ndemo said we can lower the cost of new computers to equal that of the used computer. Why can we not pursue this?
Victor.