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MOZAMBIQUE NEVER AUTHORIZED IMPORT OF WASTE - MOCUMBI

by AIM (Mozambique News Agency)

Maputo, 16 Oct - Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi denied, on Friday, that Mozambique ever authorised the import of toxic waste. He was answering a journalist's question concerning the alleged authorisation by the Mozambican government given to two companies, namely the Argentine-based "International Waste Group", and the Mozambican "Amodel" to import and export toxic waste.

"I think it is necessary to verify if those companies were authorised to import waste. If, indeed, they were authorised, that is a violation (of the Basle and Bamako conventions)", said Mocumbi.

Speaking during his usual Friday briefing to the press, Mocumbi insisted "I do not believe that any company has been authorised to import waste to be processed in Mozambique, but there is no doubt that the government must take measures for the waste produced in the country to be treated in a safe way, respecting the conventions, and to safeguard human and animal health. For that, we are empowering Mozambican institituons".

"We say no to the import of waste" to Mozambique, said Mocumbi categorically.

But there seems little doubt that two ministers, Planning and Finance Minister Tomas Saloamo, and Environment Minister Bernanrdo Ferraz, did indeed sign authorisations in February 1996 that would have enabled the two companies to import waste. The two authorisations were published earlier this month by the international ecological organisation Greenpeace.

When challenged by the independent newsheet "Metical", Ferraz admitted signing the authorisation, but said it was prior to Mozambican ratification of the relevant conventions.

Both Ferraz and Salomao said that the authorisations had expired since the companies concerned had not started the investment within the 120 days allotted. However, the authorisations have not been formally revoked.

There is no evidence that any toxic waste was actually introduced into Mozambique under the 1996 authorisations.

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