Toxic waste vessel MV Vera D still at Tin-Can Port

By Ifeyinwa Obi
Contrary to reports, the controversial vessel MV VeraD, is still being detained at the Tin-Can Port, Apapa, Lagos.
The vessel is suspected to be carrying three containers laden with toxic materials. It was seized 15 days ago.

The Head, Public Relations, Nigeria Customs Service, Tin-Can Island Command, Mr Chris Osunkwo confirmed that the ship was still at the Port.
“As at today, the release order for the vessel has not been given. The ship is still there at TICT.” But another vessel belonging to Grimaldi Shipping Line, Grande America, loaded with two containers of suspected toxic waste which berthed at the PTML terminal, Tin-Can, on October 14, has escaped from the Lagos port-fueling fears that MV Vera D may disappear. The ship came into the country with two containers marked GCNU 4626103 and CLHU 8824868 from the United Kingdom.

The content are used old model monitors, used TV sets with no cables in some of them, used loud speakers, Daewoo TV set model GB20T857, 20 inches Goodman”s TV set model K2105, Speaker Sony model number ss-w59, used fridge with compressors attached R600A, VY 33R45A.

But the ship, he said, was allowed to sail back to its port of origin after officials of Customs, Port Health, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), State Security Services (SSS), Navy, National Regulatory and Standards Agency (NESREA) and other security operatives at the Port examined the ship and directed that the vessel should go back with the toxic containers. NESREA got an alert concerning the vessel through its international partners.

Under international conventions, they said, such vessels accused of the type of offence are usually penalised and at least made to pay prescribed fine by Customs formation. But it is not clear if this was complied with in the case of Grande America.