Communities Demand Boreholes, Hospitals From Firm

The host communities of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) last Wednesday urged the company to provide hospitals, roads and water in their areas.

The communities, which include Rido, Kapam, Juji, Chidunu and Mahuta, also requested the company to construct classrooms and install electricity transformers in their settlements.

They also requested provision of scholarship, employment of their youths and award of contract to indigenes of the localities.

Addressing a news conference at Kapam village, near Kaduna, the spokesperson of the communities, Tanko Ayuba, said the founders of the villages were evacuated from the area by the Federal Government without any compensation.

“Nothing has been done to the communities till date,’’ he said. “ It is now a right for the host communities to be benefiting from the company.”

Ayuba further said that the hazardous chemicals and gaseous substances emitted from the refinery had led to the death of many people in the area.

“Although the emission has affected their health, there is no compensation, no treatment or medical attention for the people.

He urged the company to provide the facilities so that the existing cordial relations would continue.

When contacted, the Manager, KRPC Corporate Affairs Department, Abdullahi Idris, said the company had yet to receive the communities’ request, adding: “I was however informed on the issue.”

He said company was ready to meet the host communities’ needs with its little resources.

The manager said the company had been organising meetings with representatives of the communities to address their needs.

“We prioritise their demands and representatives of the communities decide where projects are sited.”

He said the company had within the last two years provided 12 boreholes, built toilets in seven schools, renovated eight primary schools as well as constructed quarters for doctors and nurses at Rido village.

He said the KRPC was constructing police and vigilante outposts, and had placed an order for the installation of a 500KVA transformer in the village.