Rivers — National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency yesterday said it has intercepted yet another ship loaded with materials suspected to be toxic waste as it was about to berth at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A source at NESREA told THISDAY, that a Maersk ship carrying some containers of toxic waste arrived Onne port, Portharcourt, Rivers State early yesterday morning.

According to the mannifest on the ship, it originated from Rosterdam Seaport in Netherland.

The source further said NESREA authorities has ordered the detention of the toxic bearing ship by security operatives at the Onne Port It also said both officers of NESREA and other Port officials have already began an inspection of the ship to unravel the actual content.

"Because NESREA is not at the ports, the ship slipped in, but the Agency got a tip-off from the Shippers' Council", he said.The agency had only last week issued a security alert on a Dutch-owned vessel M.V Nashville with registration No. UE/SU4635950 laden with toxic cargo which for the second time was intercepted and turned back while trying to berth at the Ivorian Port of Abidjan.

The Vessel, carrying 70 storage (lead) batteries classified as Basel Code 1180, broken television sets and other hazardous e-waste was, after a warning from the Dutch environmental watchdog VROM Inspectorate intercepted and turned back at the Tin-Can Island Port of Apapa by a combined team of Port Officials - Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, NPA, Nigerian Police, Customs, State Security Service (SSS), Port Health Services led by NESREA.

NESREA's Director-General had in response to the increasing wave of smuggling in of toxic waste into the shores of the country, warned that federal government would henceforth confiscate any ship found to be loaded with toxic substances and make sure that the culprits faces the wrath of the law.