Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has said that the content of the suspected toxic waste container abandoned in Lagos is a chemical substance known as Sodium Hydrosulphite UN1384 IMDG Class 4.2- P.G. II.
The statement signed by the Director, NESREA Lagos Liaison Office, Dr. S. Otitologbon, pointed out that the container which was cleared from a bonded terminal, Joatlim Bonded Terminal, in Lagos.
Sodium Hydrosulphite, a Flammable Hydrogen Sulfide gas may form with heating. ... Sodium Hydrosulfide reacts with Strong Acids (such as Hydrochloric, Sulfuric and NITRIC); Moist Air and Moisture to release flammable and toxic Hydrogen Sulfide Gas.
NESREA noted that the
container has been moved to the warehouse belonging to the importer, adding that further
investigation is being carried out.
The statement noted that the container fell off from the truck when the truck bumped into a pothole flooded with water as there was heavy downpour on
the day.
According to the statement, “On the 4th of November 2020, the National
Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency NESREA received an
information that a container suspected to be carrying toxic waste was abandoned
at Berger-Suya Bus stop Coconut near Mile 2.
“Officers of the Agency were dispatched to the location at Coconut near
Mile 2. Discussions were also held with the Nigerian Customs Service and the
Nigerian Ports Authority. Information on the abandoned container was also
requested from the shipping line CMA-CGM.
“Investigations showed that the container was documented as carrying
Sodium Hydrosulphite UN1384 IMDG Class 4.2- P.G. II which was manufactured in
June 2020 and has June 2021 as the expiry date.
“The container was loaded on a truck with the head removed and plate
number removed. The consignment of 432 drums, weighing 23.155 tonnes was
cleared from a bonded terminal, Joatlim Bonded Terminal where NESREA does not
conduct routine inspection.
“Further investigation showed that the container with Sodium
Hydrosulphite fell off from the truck when the truck bumped into a pothole
flooded with water as there was heavy downpour on the day.
“The container has been moved to the facility of the consignee and
NESREA has locked it up to prevent tampering pending the conclusion of
investigations. The Agency will also ensure that the consignee disposes of the
chemical in an environmentally sound manner if found to be a waste.
“The consignee did not have NESREA import clearance although he
presented the NAFDAC document. He was informed that failure to procure
Environmental Import Clearance was a violation of statutory national
environmental regulations.
“NESREA is enforcing the National Environmental (Hazardous Chemical and
Pesticides) Regulations, 2014 which provides the procedure for importation of
hazardous chemicals into the country. The Agency will not allow Nigeria to be
used as a dumping ground for any deleterious substance and is working with
other sister agencies to get to the root of the incident,” the statement noted.
Recall that the Public Relations Officer of Tin-can
Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Uche Ejesieme, had earlier said
that content is not toxic waste but carbide loaded in an owner container meant
for export.
Ejesieme said that the
Command has checked its trading platform NICIS 1&2 and that there is no
trace of the said container in their system.
“We have gone to the place, it is carbide for export, there is nothing toxic; go and check it yourself. It is a reserved container used for local haulage, there is nothing like toxic,” he noted.
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