Fear of cholera outbreak has gripped Ukwu-Nzu community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, following pollution of the two rivers in the area as a result of alleged coal mining activities.
Nigerian Tribune investigation revealed that water in the two rivers (Odo and Ojokpa) in the community have turned muddy while the vegetation around has changed colour from the usual green which observers attributed to the mining in neighbouring Ugboba community.
The mining company, Mosra Energy limited, said the colouration of the river has nothing to do with its activities, but as a result of Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) erosion control in the community years back.
An indigene and a community leader, Mr Kaikenechukwu Okolie, who lamented the situation and hardship the community is going through said: “We have been facing this challenge for over two months, yet nothing has been done about it. We have been making 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 for over two months.
“Nobody is against coal mining in our neighbouring 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 government to come to our aid before people begin to die.
“The river cannot habit aquatic activity now, not alone for drinking. We are calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevweri as a matter of urgency to address the situation.”
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Jamani Ejiro who confirmed the situation, said he got the information in December 2023.
“I got the information about the activities of the coal mining last year and I wanted to visit the site before the climate change issue.
“We will visit the site next week to get first hand information because the MORE agenda of Governor Oborevwori is to protect the people, so we will not want somebody to destroy our environment or waterways.
“We will soon go into action now we are reliably informed that there is water pollution in the community to save life,” the commissioner said.
Responding to the water pollution, the Resource Manager, Mosra Energy Limited, Mr Amed Ali said: “Regards to the purported colouration of the rivers, our coal mining process does not generate any waste.
“When the issue happened, we also took our time to carry out our independent investigation and discovered that some years back, the NEWMAP erosion control channeled drainage to the river as the only way to avoid reoccurring erosion.
“The laterite was part of the materials the NEWMAP used. So, during rainy season, water washed laterite to the river and in the process colour the river.“
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