Tche Irene MORIKANG
11 September 2006
editorial
What began like a joke has become a national and even international catastrophe. Côte d'Ivoire is once more in crisis; a consequence of having accepted to serve as dustbin for the disposal of toxic wastes. What an idea!
Thousands of people have been contaminated and human lives lost. Things might worsen in the days ahead as the 400 tonnes of toxic waste from the vessel, 'Probo Koala' dumped at nine sites in Abidjan on August 19, contain a mixture of petrol and sulphur, with an added concentration of sulphuric products. Those who disposed of it said they had informed authorities about the nature of the waste and had sent a written request that it should be safely discarded. But some person(s) decided to toy with human lives.
Now, the Ivorian government says it needs some USD 13.5 (about CFA 6.75 billions) to mitigate the crisis. Such money, they do not have.
The international community is being mobilised. What a shame! The money that would be used to assess the level of damage, secure the polluted areas and analyse the wastes with a view to finding a lasting solution could have been used to rebuild the war torn nation.
The joint resignation of the Ivorian cabinet last Thursday is exemplary, but definitely not enough. Those directly concerned with the toxic waste dump should be "prosecuted and punished". Their act can rightly pass for a "crime against humanity".
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