A Chinesebased company,
Shijiazhuang Qixiang Chemical Co. Ltd, has
been exposed over alleged exportation of sand-
like toxic waste in place of caustic soda to
unsuspecting Nigerian importer, Christo
Ventures Ltd, in Lagos.
According to reports, the Nigerian importer
had placed an order for 10 by 20ft containers
of caustic soda (NaOH) from the Chinese
company, but to the Christo’s amazement, the
consignment was in contrast with what it
expected. Christo Ventures Ltd is said to have been a
chemical importer recognised by NAFDAC and
has a current permit to import, N0. 1300280
of 2013 with the item, caustic soda listed as
N0.15 on the permit.
However, luck ran out of the Chinese firm
when the officials of the National Agency for
Food and Drug Administration and Control,
NAFDAC, upon examination during its routine
joint physical checks at the Sifax Bonded
Terminal on June 7 2013, observed that the
physical characteristic of the consignment was
in contrast with the expected caustic soda that
usually appears in pearls.
The suspicion led the agency to draw samples
from three of the 10 containers for further
laboratory analysis.
Fortunately, the result of the analysis showed
that the substance shipped to Christo Ventures
by the Chinese company was not caustic soda,
contrary to both parties’ agreement.
Reacting to the development, NAFDAC
Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was
represented by a director in the agency, Mrs.
Hauwa Keri, told newsmen that the sand-like
substance, which could be re-extracted to get
hard drugs, could also constitute serious
hazards to the environment as well as security
risk.
On his part, Managing Director of Christo
Ventures, Christian Udeh, who alleged that he
was duped by the Chinese company said the
had invested over N30 million in the business.