Soot Outbreak in Rivers State: J4D Urges FG to Curb Menace
Zainab Tanimu – Kaduna, NIGERIA
A team of Journalists, whose focus is on inspiring policy makers to giving attention to developmental issues for the overall interest of citizens has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency intervene on the calamity called, “soot”; calamity that has befallen communities in Rivers State as a result of oil exploration.
The group, ‘Journalists for Development’ (J4D), in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Tajudeen Tijjani and Alex Uangbaoje, National Publicity Secretary, urged the FG to act fast and take decisive action to end the menace on the issue which they say is beyond the power of the River State Government.
According to the statement, “Soot coming from the activities of the hydrocarbon industry and many illegal refineries in the creeks has caused untold hardships on many families in the State.
“With this situation, many people have gone down with nasal infections and respiratory problems which have led to the death of a number of people.”
They noted that the refineries set up by these illegal miners have been the source of ailment to the communities whiles the security operative agents, turned their face the other way.
It is also discovered that the oil majors are more interested in the oil than in the people’s well-being.
They expressed concern on the health hazard facing the people as well as sympathize with the government and people of Rivers State over the issue.
“The reported outbreak of a disease called Soot due to alleged recklessness of the security agencies to handle the proliferation of illegal refineries has caused pollution of River State environment.
“Journalists for Development (J4D) therefore called on the Federal Government to wade into the calamity; and ordered the top echelon of the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to intervene and save the lives of the people who are endangered by the activities of the oil giants.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on this outbreak of soot have shown that residents of Port-Harcourt are killed on daily basis without the government showing concern.
“The Federal Government should not turn deaf ears to the plight of these people, who have cried out, protested without any one coming to their rescue.” They added.
