Abia govt moves to battle hydrocarbon infested water in Ukwa East

… warns traffic offenders

The Abia State Government has established an emergency management team to address the issue of hydrocarbon-infested water in the Obohia Oba community of Ohanso, Ukwa East Local Government Area.

The team’s goal is to implement remedial actions to ensure the community has access to potable drinking water.

The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this Monday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council, EXCO meeting chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti stating that the team will be led by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

This was even as the state government has warned traffic offenders to abide by relevant rules as testing the will of the government in this regard would be an unprofitable venture for those involved.

According to the Commissioner on the water issue, this is “where it has been established that water samples taken from the community have been contaminated by hydrocarbons. 

“So due to the health hazards posed by hydrocarbons when ingested by humans, the state Ministry of Health will help to investigate the extent of danger posed to the health of the indigenes of the community and how they may have been adversely affected by the hydrocarbons they have been ingesting through the water they drink. 

“Of course, this remedial and immediate action by the state government underscores the compassionate governance style and philosophy of the state government to provide immediate solutions to communities that are under danger in any way or form”.

Adding to this, the state Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonnaya said it came to the notice of this ministry that someone drilled a borehole for water, but found out that instead, oil was coming out. 

This he said, made the ministry to rush to the area. stating, “our test proved that the water was contaminates by hydrocarbon”.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Transport, has reiterated plans to strengthen the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations across the state, warning, “offenders, such as those who drive against traffic, along with traffic light offenders, picking up passengers on the road, the local palace are called (akanaelu), will be fined or prosecuted depending on the severity of the traffic offense. 

“Also, touting and extortions in the parks and along the roads remains prohibited. In the same vein, the state government wants to use this medium to warn those who extort traders at Ngwa Road markets to desist from such illegal acts or face persecution. 

“The government has the details and identities of those involved in these unwholesome and criminal acts. By this announcement, the state government is giving the last opportunity to those involved to desist from these criminal activities.

“Some families have been implicated in these criminal acts. The details and identities of all those involved are known by the state government. But in line with the governance philosophy of the state government, they are being given a last opportunity to repent of the evil ways, turn a new leaf, and do things correctly, or else, the full wrath of the Lord will be brought to bear on all those involved. 

“So this stands as a final warning to all those involved in these unwholesome acts. Let me conclude by saying that testing the will of this government in this regard would be an unprofitable venture for those involved”.

On cultural regeneration in the state, Prince Kanu informed, “council has approved, through the same Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative economy, that all Executive Council, EXCO members will wear traditional outfits on the first Monday of every month as a way of showcasing our indigenous craftsmanship, and as a way of promoting our locally made traditional outfits. 

“In the same way, the state government has enjoined civil servants to wear traditional outfits to the office on Fridays as a means of bridging the cultural gap while stimulating our sense of pride of our Igbo identity. We are aware that there is an ongoing cultural revolution in the state and putting on our locally made fabrics and wear is one way of strengthening that cultural revolution and showcasing who we are as a people and our culture.”

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE