The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said importers of toxic wastes would not evade stringent sanctions by the Federal Government.
Director-General of the agency Dr Ngeri Benebo, gave the indication in Abuja
NESREA, in collaboration with other agencies manning the nation’s ports, intercepted a ship, MV Marivia-Monrovia, with two containers laden with toxic waste.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said importers of toxic wastes would not evade stringent sanctions by the Federal Government.
Director-General of the agency Dr Ngeri Benebo, gave the indication in Abuja
NESREA, in collaboration with other agencies manning the nation’s ports, intercepted a ship, MV Marivia-Monrovia, with two containers laden with toxic waste.
The Federal Government ordered that the containers be shipped back to its country of origin (UK), after the payment of the $1Million fine that was slammed on the ship owners.
However, some experts who spoke to our correspondent posited that the fine can not stand.
One legal practitioner, who pleaded anonymity, explained that he expected that owners of the ship or their agents should be court by now, even as he recalled that similar fines that were imposed by NESREA in the past were not enforced.
An inspection of the containers revealed used television sets, used computers, CPUs, DVDs, microwaves, pressing irons and stereo sets.
Benebo gave an assurance that the penalty by the government was in accordance with environmental laws.
She expressed the hope that such a measure would deter other importers who derived pleasure in the importation of contrabands.
“We have sensitised importers of the Electrical Electronic Equipment (EEM) on the dangers of importing discarded electronics and have issued them with manuals.
“We had registered them and issued them with NESREA certificates and this certificates are carrying a unique number that cannot be forged.’’
The also noted that the toxic waste pollute the environment and that such waste was often dumped at the outskirts of cities, posing health hazards to rural inhabitants.
“Most of the toxic wastes are being dumped in slums and rural areas, and this has dangerous effect on the health of our people especially those who live in rural areas.
Benebo advised other government agencies to exhibit inter agency collaboration to achieve the transformation agenda of the present administration.
According to her, “our cooperation at the ports is superb and that has made us to effectively enforce the ban on the importation of e- waste.”
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