Emma Arubi
4 January 2009
EBENDO community vigilance group in Ndokwa council area of Delta State has arrested three persons for dumping over 30,000litres of suspected toxic waste in the community farmland even as it called on all relevant authorities in the state and country to deal decisively with the defaulting company.
The community is also demanding for adequate compensation and thorough clean-up of their environment.
In a letter addressed to Delta State commissioner of police, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, and three others by A. Anowu and Associates (legal practitioners) and signed by Andrew Anowu, Esq., the community stated that on 18 and 19 December, 2008, the firm (name withheld) discharged toxic waste liquid substance from drilling operations from their Umusadege field into their farmland, bush, fish ponds, lake, swamps and borrow pits owned by families/indigenes of the community close to residential quarters along Kwale-Ozoro Express Road.
According to the letter, based on information, the community vigilance group laid ambush and swooped on a truck/tanker while discharging the waste on their land on 19 December and arrested one Michael Chukwuji and two others. They said they later deflated the tyres of the tanker and handed the three persons to the police at Kwale for prosecution with the remaining content of the truck.
Curiously, however, the dispatch note/waybill accompanying the waste product, the letter said, showed that the waste was meant to be discharged at a "Themosteel Yard, Warri", a place yet to located. Effluent Water, as the substance was described in the waybill, was allegedly issued out by one Wilfred Asine, a HSE officer and approved by one Latifu A., designated as DHO of the company.
The letter revealed that the suspected toxic waste is dangerous to the environment as it contains chemicals and poisonous substances harmful to human health, crops, land, "water, air, wildlife and aquatic life".The community therefore called on all relevant authorities, including the minister of environment, Delta State commissioner of health and the police to act fast, visit the dump site and assess the substance.
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