Sudan investigates claims on burial of radioactive wastes

February 25, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Justice Minister, on Thursday, formed a fact-finding committee on the alleged burial of radioactive waste in northern Sudan desert during the construction of Merowe Dam.

The decision comes after claims by the former director of the Sudan Atomic Energy Commission (SAEC), Mohamed Sidig, who said that 60 containers with toxic waste were brought from China with construction materials and machinery for the building of the Merowe dam.

Sidiq claimed that 40 containers were buried in the desert near the dam construction site while another 20 containers have been left out in the open.

The decision to form the commission of inquiry was issued at the request of the Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation, and Electricity which asked to appoint a neutral body under the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1954.

The investigation committee is headed by the Chief Public Prosecutor in Khartoum state, and includes representatives of the National Police, National Intelligence and Security Services, SAEC, Supreme Council for the Environment, Nuclear Medicine Institute, and the Center for Industrial Research and Consultancy.

The ministerial decision set out the inquiry’s terms of reference saying the ad hoc committee will investigate the presence of chemical or radioactive materials in the area of Merowe dam, and its impact on the environment.

The investigation body has to submit its final report within two weeks after the starting of its activities.

(ST)