Imo State Government has called on the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency to evaluate the level of pollution in the Ohaji-Egbema communities linked to the hydro carbon vapour caused by the explosion of crude oil storage facilities of AGIP in Rivers State.
The state government’s decision was disclosed by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Mr. Eze Madumere, when he paid a working visit to Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Anukam, in his office in Abuja.
Addressing Anukam and other directors of the agency, Madumere said he personally paid a verification visit on behalf of Governor Rochas Okorocha to the affected areas.
He stated that he visited major affected areas like Obokofia River, Mmahu and other communities in Egbema, where he confirmed the pollution of their water, vegetation and other natural resources especially the major source of their drinking water.
He observed that the spillage destroyed property worth millions of naira.
On June 28, 2014, two explosions rocked a facility belonging to Agip Oil Exploration Company in Ebocha community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The deputy governor added, “The said explosions were blamed on the usage of obsolete equipment and mechanical faults. The explosions did not only affect the immediate environment where the incident took place but also affected Imo neighbouring communities in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.”
He called on the management of NESREA to partner with the Imo State Government for accurate assessment of the affected areas to know the extent of damage and solution to save the aquatic life of the affected communities.
Madumere urged indigenes of the affected communities in Egbema to heed to experts’ advice not to fish or fetch water from the polluted rivers and streams.
In his response, Anukam said the visit was a mark of a responsible and responsive government which took the welfare of its people seriously.
He promised that the agency would bring its expertise to hear on the matter soon.
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