The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) and the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) have raised alarm saying they have noticed black soot particles have taken over communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights group and CEHRAWS, a civil rights advocacy group both called on the Abia government warning that foreshadows a looming danger with a huge impact on people’s health.
Their information was contained in a joint statement made available to News Echo by Comrade Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director, FENRAD and Comrade Okoye Chuka Peter, Executive Director, CEHRWAS.
They said that their on the spot findings have revealed that the black soot is a result of activities of illegal refineries, illegal bunkering that is currently in operation within the oil communities that are unchecked by relevant authorities.
The groups said that such unhealthy activities are currently endangering livelihood in the affected areas of the state. They called on the Abia government, her ministry of environment, other relevant agencies, including the federal government to intervene.
The groups insisted that a deep black powdery or flaky substance have currently taken over Owaza and other communities in the Abia oil region with video and picture evidence.
“After a visit to some communities in the said LGA, FENRAD & CEHRAWS is of the view that there is a need now for both mitigative and restorative measure that averts what it believes poses a potential environmental threat.
“While there exist, within petroleum informal sector, Indigenous and illegal refineries, we regret that these illegal industries are being aided in no small measure by security agencies like the military and civil defence operatives, for which clashes between host communities and the security agencies have broken out countless times.
“It is to be understood that, as is the case with Rivers State, many locals and other interest groups are racketeering in the shady deal now becoming a norm in Ukwa West.
“The outcome of such environmental recklessness, all available records show, has always remained largely unsustainable and insufferable for the most part.
“In Rivers State and elsewhere, governments there, FENRAD & CEHRAWS observed, have begun implementation of stiff penalties and severe punishments against offenders with many of such local refineries torn down,” they said.
The groups said that with this current trend, the lifespan of the said communities including that of the unborn and pregnant women are already endangered.
They said that soot is not a domestic waste particle but suspended impure carbon with high toxicity, dangerous to biodiversity and the entire ecosystem.
“It is shocking that in a world where everyone is moving towards the alternative and clean source of energy with the talk of biodiversity as the plank of state and non-state actors’ commitment towards sustainable development, Abia could be going in a reverse direction in the name of “Kpo Fire” and illegal bunkering. This, FENRAD & CEHRAWS says is worrisome.
“FENRAD & CEHRAWS however, calls on the traditional ruler(s) and village heads of the affected communities and towns to do the needful to end this depletion.
“We also call on state and federal government to do the needful by harnessing the petroleum subsector to avert a looming danger,” they said.
