From: Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Samples of suspected toxic waste dumped in Koko town, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have been collected for laboratory analysis to ascertain its composition, the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. John Nani, has said.

Residents of the community had been apprehensive when the strange waste was reportedly dumped in the town by unknown persons. More so that the 1988 Koko toxic waste debacle is still fresh in the minds of residents.

But Mr. Nani, who visited the site of the latest dump with officials of the Nigeria Custom Service and authorities of the council area, among others, assured residents that the state government was already on top of the situation.

Nani said there was urgent need to effectively manage the situation for the benefit of all in the state, saying that the “visit is coming on the heels of alleged importation of industrial toxic waste to the ancient town to be manage by the company.

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“This has caused apprehension on the mind of all stakeholders and thus, there was urgent need to effectively manage the situation for the benefit of Deltans. I am pleased that Custom Service personally led by the Comptroller of the Edo/Delta zone, Barr. Ona Eboma is here with us for the on-the-spot assessment of the waste,”

He disclosed that samples of the substance have been collected for further laboratory analysis and the outcome of the analysis will be made public for the interest of all, and urged residents in the locality to remain calm.

Comptroller of Customs, Edo/Delta, Barr. Oni Eboma said that the substance was not imported, and allayed the fear of the people that it is a repeat of the 1988 experience, stressing that it is only a competent laboratory analysis that will determine the toxicity of the substance.

Conducting the team round the facility, Dr. Akintunde Francis who is head of operations of Ebenco Global Links Limited, the company managing the waste, said the waste was a by-product of oil companies.

He added Ebenco Global Links has been involved in the business of waste management for long with proven integrity, maintaining that the waste is not harmful as being speculated by a section of the media.