The House of Representatives, on Wednesday in Abuja, passed a resolution to investigate the dumping of toxic waste in Koko community in Warri, Delta, to avert failure of human organs.
The House also mandated its Committees on Environment and Habitat, Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas Resources to investigate the extent of the environmental impact of the toxic waste on the community.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Investigate the Dumping of Toxic Waste in Koko Community of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State,” sponsored by Rep. Daniel Reyenieju (PDP-Delta).
Moving the motion, Reyenieju recalled that in June 1988, toxic waste was dumped in Koko which resulted to illnesses and environmental damages to aquatic life of the people.
He expressed concern that apart from the incidence that happened in 1988, there was recurrence in 2017 which violates the environmental guideline and standard for the petroleum industry in Nigeria.
The lawmaker said that 80 per cent of oily sludge is considered hazardous because of the presence of toxic organics such as aromatics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and complex compounds with very high molecular weights.
“The consumption or absorption of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants by plants and lower animals will ultimately lead to bioaccumulation in humans from food chain in nature which will result in failure of organs and ultimately death.
“During the rainy season, surface and underground water which is the source of drinking water for the people is gravely contaminated through seepage of toxic and carcinogenic substances into aquifer.
“The area around the dump site is residential and a primary school, with its numerous pupils and teachers, also share a common perimeter fence with the dump site facility,” Reyenieju said.
The House mandated the relevant committees to report back their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.
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