TRANS-BOUNDARY MOVEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE IN AFRICA: INTERROGATING THE BASEL AND BAMAKO CONVENTION

Abstract

_{The article critically examined trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste in Africa: interrogating the Basel and Bamako Conventions and posit that trans-boundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste is a global phenomenon which poses serious threat to both man and the environment including all the competing elements in the ecosystem. Hazardous waste is toxic in nature with the capacity to alter ecological balance to the detriment of man. The article examines the concept of hazardous waste, the incidence of hazardous waste in sub-Saharan African countries, international instruments regulating trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes and opine that the environmental damage occasioned by hazardous waste could be permanent and irreversible. It is truism that most of the sub-Saharan African Countries, like Nigeria had ratified several international treaties and conventions aimed at challenging extra-territorial disposal of hazardous waste material. Against this background, this article seeks to critically appraise the Basel and the Bamako convention on the ban of the import into Africa and the control of trans-boundary movement and management of hazardous wastes within Africa. This is with a view to proffering suggestion for reform and recommendation on the challenges and constraint of the enforcement of the infraction of territorial legislation and convention in tackling the menace of hazardous waste in Africa.}