NUBARASHEN PESTICIDE DUMP SOON TO BE COMPLETELY CLOSED
ARMENPRESS
MAY 7,2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS: Nubarashen pesticide dump will be
completely closed soon, Emergency Situations Minister Armen Yeritsyan
said today at the discussion organized in the ministry, noting that
relevant establishments are too involved in the works. Representatives
of Healthcare, Urban Development, Nature Protection, Agriculture
Ministries, Police, NGOs, international organizations participated
in the discussion.
A. Yeritsyan noted that notable works have been carried out in the
territory of the dump and informative work have been carried out with
the residents of the nearby villages.
"Here the situation is rather serious, we all understand that it is an
emergency case. We must realize that the work of our ministry is not
enough, it is necessary to coordinate all the forces, establish clear
timeframe and implement the works of the first round effectively,"
Armen Yeritsyan said. He noted that the government has already
released 31 million AMD for the works, but it will be enough only for
the first round of the works. In the second round it is necessary to
undertake steps toward the elimination of pesticides. International
experts suggested either acquire special stoves and eliminate the
pesticides or transfer them to other countries where they will
be eliminated. A. Yeritsyan noted that they will apply to the
international organizations to assist them in further works.
Chairwoman of the "Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment"
NGO Yelena Manvelyan noted that they met with the residents of the
nearby villages and the latter said they have headaches and feel sick.
"By now the works of relevant establishments were not done properly.
Was it difficult to stretch barbed wire, place information posts
and inform the people?. It is a quite serious case and all the
establishments must response," she said.
First deputy healthcare minister Hayk Darbinyan noted that days before
studies of the dump, nearby water, air and land have been made. It was
found out that there are no poisonous substances in the drinking water
and air, there is a certain additions in the irrigation water and land.
Head of the OSCE Yerevan Office Sergey Kapinos noted that their
organization is ready to assist the Armenian authorities. "This is the
case when all must understand the seriousness of the moment. Because
of wrong steps of a few unconscious people the whole public of Yerevan
is endangered. At the same time it is necessary to work out a program
with clear schedule to isolate the danger," Kapinos said. A. Yeritsyan
noted that all the ministries are given relevant tasks and the works
are being intensively carried out.