* Okowa, Delta Gov
By Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba
 
The Delta State Government has dismissed the Koko alleged toxic waste dump in the community, saying that laboratory result proved negative. Expectedly, Koko community had been under fear of the unknown following the alleged toxic waste dump at the dumpsite of Ebenco Global Links Limited, an integrated waste management facility in Koko community, the administrative headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of the state. 

But the state Commissioner for Environment, Barr. John Nani at a News briefing yesterday in Asaba, told journalists that samples of the substance were randomly collected and stored in plastic containers by officials of the State Ministry of Environment for further laboratory analysis at Quality Analytical Laboratory Service Limited in Benin city, Edo State disclosing that findings shown after a critical examination by the Laboratory experts that the alleged waste dump was a product of Crude Petroleum which appealed treated petroleum slude as some of the toxic parts of the crude oil were such as PAH, BTEX, HG, CD, PB, AS, CR, U, NI, ETC.

Noting that  the alleged waste dump had created apprehension and raised serious tension on the minds of Deltans, particularly Koko people, the Commissioner explained considering the ugly and unpleasant experiences of 1988, when imported toxic waste from Italy were dumped in Koko town, there was need for caution in taking cognizance to manage the situation as such weighty crime of dumped toxic waste must be investigated before holding culpability against the accused. 

He recalled that on Sunday 26th February 2017, the State Ministry of Environment Officials was alerted through an eyewitness report on channels television to an alleged dumping of substance suspected to be toxic waste at the dumpsite of Ebenco Global Links Limited, an integrated Waste Management Facility in Koko, and reiterated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Ministration’s Commitments to ensure a safe and healthy environment for Deltans and to provide an enabling environment for the ease of doing business in the state. 

Meanwhile, the indigenes of Koko community have commended the state government for its prompt action in allaying the fear of them in the alleged toxic waste dump in the community. 

The indigenes under the aegis of concerned Koko indigenes in a statement issued by one Victor Buwa, Shuwa Jiringho, and Madam Yayi Kpenosen, a copy made available to our reporter, said the unfounded allegation which enjoys the support of “contractors and strangers” who had never visited the community in the past 20 years, were made without consultation with the villagers. 

“We state emphatically that no one who does not live in Koko to see things for himself can speak for the people of the community on this matter under whatever guise” they added.