CSOs raise alarm, demand immediate action to avert environmental disaster as soot rains on Abia community

Posted by News Express | 1 March 2022 | 750 times

•Soot-contaminated sir in Owaza community, Ukwa West, Abia State

BY OKECHUKWU KESHI UKEGBU

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a pro-democracy and environmental rights and Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), have called for efforts to both mitigative and restorative measures to avert what they believe poses a potential environmental threat in Owaza community in Ukwa West.

The organisations said that sooty particles were overwhelming the communities in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State, and warned that the situation foreshadows a looming danger with huge impact.

The organizations therefore called on the State Government, Ministry of Environment, other relevant agencies, including the federal government, to intervene, since from their findings, the soot resulted from the activities of illegal refineries which were now endangering livelihood in the affected areas.

The groups said: “With this current trend, lifespan of the said communities, including that of the unborn children and pregnant women are already endangered. 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 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.”