Toxic waste: IPF leader to sue govt

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 13.01.2008

Leader of of Izon Patriotic Front (IPF), a Bayelsa based socio-cultural organization, Chief Wisdom Ambaiowei has expressed worry over the dumping of toxic human waste and refuse along the Tombia –Amassoma road by the government.

Ambaiowei has therefore threatened a legal action against the State government if nothing is done to get rid of the ugly situation which he said constitute serious health hazard.

The deplorable road leads to the Niger Delta University (NDU) owned by the Bayelsa state government. The community leader has issued a 14 days ultimatum to government to desist from dumping waste in the area or face the legal action.

Speaking to newsmen in Yenagoa, recalled that the road which used to give fragrant smell from flowers and trees to commuters and passers-by in the area, has now turned a refuse dump in recent times.

According to him, ‘more so, the said human wastes and refuse are littering all over the road and being burnt on the road, thereby obstructing traffic on the said road.

The odour emanating from the said road ,is not only injurious to human health and well being, but an eyesore to all and sundry that pass through that road.“

Ambaiowei wondered how government could allow dumping of waste in the area, stressing that it has no moral right to seek compensation from multinational oil firms for the emission of gasses that are not, as toxic as human wastes.