Toxic Waste: Delta Communities Demand N100m Compensation From Agip

The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has been accused of dumping harmful industrial wastes in some communities in Delta State.

The affected communities of Emu Ebendo, Emu Ebadeti, Arhade and Ellu communities raised the alarm through a petition to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan,  alleging that the depositors of the wastes were caught in the act.

The petition, which came through their counsel, A. Anowu and Associates, is calling  on the Delta State governor to prevail on the company to evacuate the toxic materials which are destructive to lives.

The communities said the toxic materials, which came from Agip location at Ashaka-3, were dumped on farmlands and bush along Kwale-Ozoro Expressway,  stressing that the depositors could not evade the unwinking eyes of the communities’ vigilantes, who apprehended them, and took the trucks to the Kwale police station.

The apprehended waste- laden trucks, were said to be carrying the industrial products on behalf of Oil Tools Africa Limited, and the wastes were meant to be delivered at WASCO Yard in Port Harcourt but were later diverted to the communities.

The affected communities insisted that the industrial wastes were purely poisonous substances harmful to both humans and the natural environment.

The communities also called for an urgent investigation and intervention into the matter by relevant authorities.

They also demanded an immediate remediation of impacted sites, and payment of Compensation worth N100 million by Agip to the affected communities.

When contacted on phone, the spokesman of Agip, Harding Orife, refused to comment of the matter.

Beemene Taneh