NEWS
Ecological Group HOMEF Rejects ‘Non-Hazardous’ Waste from EU
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has condemned the proposed plans to allow ‘Non Hazardous’ wastes from the European Union (EU) countries, describing the idea as ill-conceived.
The European Commission recently confirmed that Nigeria and 23 others became the countries that met the Feb 21 deadline for inclusion in non-hazardous waste imports.
HOMEF in a statement signed by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead said it is a shocking and painful attempt to import “non-hazardous” waste from the EU into the country at a time of widespread ecological challenges.
HOMEF noted that even wastes certified as non-hazardous are often hazardous, containing traces of heavy metals and other dangerous elements.
“We denounce the ploy, under any guise, to import any form of waste to Nigeria.It is clear that rich countries commodify waste and make it appeal to the appetites of poorer countries that are seeking foreign exchange by all means.
“Thus, the EU could report that €18.5 billion worth of EU waste was exported in 2023. What the impacts of those wastes have been and will continue to be in the countries where they were exported is a question that the trade merchants will never answer.
“The EU seems to align with the assertion of Lawrence Summers, World Bank Chief Economist in 1991, who wrote that Africa is hugely under polluted and that it makes economic sense to dump wastes here.
HOMEF recalled that Summers in his memo, he said, “Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank encourage more migration of the dirty industries to the Least Developed Countries ?
“A given amount of health-impairing pollution should be done in the country with the lowest cost and the country with the lowest wages.
“I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable, and we should face up to that,”
HOMEF regretted that in a world that is in the grip of extreme geopolitical distortions, the shameful truth is that the high consumption nations are happy to offload their wastes on zones regarded as suitable for nothing except to be sacrificed as refuse dumps.
HOMEF recalled the willful dumping of toxic waste in Koko, Delta State, Nigeria, in 1988, labelled “non-hazardous” and branded as “fertilizers”.
According to the group, while the labelling was to portray no harm, the actual content was indeed harmful, with significant impacts and contamination on air, water and land.
“We also remember the Trafigura case of waste dumping in Côte d’Ivoire after several unsuccessful efforts to dump wastes in several other countries for an induced fee of about $17,000 with the help of local collaborators in the name of waste management companies.
“The hazardous nature of the wastes was concealed and became known only after other countries refused.
“We see the “Request for Inclusion in the list of countries to which the export from the European Union of Non-Hazardous Wastes and Mixtures of Non-Hazardous Wastes Destined for Recovery is Authorised” as a ploy to woo countries like Nigeria into obnoxious systemic legal waste colonialism,” HOMEF stated..
The ecological community regret that Nigeria and other African countries have become dumpsites for thousands of obsolete and unusable computers and other e-waste.
HOMEF noted that major sources of these e-wastes include China, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Morocco.
It noted Nigeria is already plagued with environmental pollution arising from oil and gas exploitation, pollution arising from the exploitation of solid minerals, plastic pollution, and genetic pollution in foods.
The statement quoted Dr Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF’s Executive Director as saying: “For a country already almost overwhelmed by these issues, seeking approval to import waste of any kind is not only ill-advised but also ecocidal and dangerous.
“This move exposes the government’s willingness to discount the wellbeing of citizens for a mess of porridge.It is inconceivable that a nation with life expectancy of about 56 years and a broken healthcare delivery system would succumb to the level of begging to import someone else’s waste, when we can hardly handle our domestic wastes,” he lamented.
“HOMEF, as well as other well-meaning Nigerians, rejects the Nigerian government’s plot to allow other countries and regions to use Nigeria or any other African nation as dumpsites for waste products from their conspicuous consumption,”
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, came under attack from armed bandits, resulting in the death of a Civil Defence officer and the abduction of his daughter.
According to sources, the victim, identified as Ayo, a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was shot in the head during the attack.
A source confirmed that Mr. Ayo was rushed to a medical facility but was declared dead on arrival.
His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary as a “Brought-In-Dead” case.The attackers reportedly abducted his first daughter before fleeing the area, further deepening fears among residents following the latest security breach in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The attack has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Yagba West and surrounding communities, with residents calling for urgent intervention by security authorities.
Two crew members of a US army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday were rescued by an American sea drone, US officials have said.
It was the first such operation carried out by US forces, the officials added.
US Central Command (Centcom) earlier said the two “soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition” after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down “near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters”.
It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft had developed a mechanical or any other technical problem, or had been downed by Iranian fire. The incident is being investigated.
In its statement on Tuesday, Centcom said the two crew members had been rescued at 19:33 EDT (23:33 GMT) on Monday.
“Rescue efforts were led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from US Air Force and Navy units including US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59,” the statement added.
The military officials said the pair had been rescued by an uncrewed surface drone that was operated by Task Force 59.
In 2024, Task Force 59 launched a new unit focusing on “the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region”.
It was not immediately clear what type of drone was used in the rescue operation, but a US official said that it had a speed boat-like design.
US President Donald Trump earlier told reporters the two crew members were “fine”, and that a report into the incident would be issued later.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, and former Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, by an additional three months pending the determination of separate court cases instituted by the duo against the legislature or the withdrawal of the suits.
The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Kwande West State Constituency, Thomas Dugeri, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency.
The House subsequently adopted the motion and resolved that the suspension of the two lawmakers should remain in force for another three months pending the outcome of the judicial process or the withdrawal of their respective cases against the Assembly in line with the law governing the institution.
Also during Tuesday’s plenary, the Benue State Sports Marketing, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, 2026 scaled through second reading on the floor of the House.
Following its consideration, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga referred the bill to the Joint House Committees on Finance, Youth and Sports for further legislative scrutiny.
In his opening remarks marking the commencement of the First Sitting of the Fourth Legislative Session, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Emberga welcomed members back from recess and urged them to remain committed to their legislative responsibilities.
He noted that the recess afforded lawmakers the opportunity to engage with their constituents and participate in political activities, including party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Speaker described the Fourth Legislative Session as a defining phase in the Assembly’s tenure and charged members to focus on issues that directly impact the welfare of the people. He identified security and peace-building, economic resilience, infrastructure development, enhanced revenue generation, effective oversight of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and greater citizen participation in the legislative process as key priorities for the session.
He further urged members to sustain harmonious collaboration with other arms of government while remaining steadfast in making laws that reflect the aspirations and yearnings of the Benue State people.
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