There is apprehension of an outbreak of waterborne disease in the Ukwu-Nzu community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State following pollution of its two major rivers by the alleged activities of coal miners.
The Nation gathered that its two major sources of water for domestic use (Odo and Ojokpa rivers) have turned muddy and brownish following the alleged discharge of effluents from a mining company in the Ugboba community, a neighbouring community.
Both rivers have turned muddy and brownish while the once lush vegetation has turned brownish.
A community leader, Mr. Kaikenechukwu Okolie blamed the pollution of its rivers on the activities of coal mining.
His words: “We have been facing this challenge for over two months, nothing was done about it. We have been making frantic efforts to reach out to the government to help us.
“We reached out to the Commissioner for Environment and the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
“We also reached out to the coal mining company, Mosra Energy and they visited the rivers but till now, we have not heard from them over two months.
“Nobody is against the coal mining in our neighboring community, we are only concerned about pollution in our rivers. As I speak to you now, our people cannot use the water to process cassava because of the pollution.
“Our people are afraid of using the water because there may be an outbreak of epidemics. So, we are begging the government to come to our aid before people die”.
SOURCE: The Nation
