Business
Oil Communities, Prone To Kidney Disorders

A nephrologist at the Central Hospital, Warri, in Delta, Dr Ralph Onyemekeiha, says people living close to oil explorations sites are prone to kidney disorders.
Onyemekeiha made this known in an interview with the newsmen, yesterday
He said that there were documents to show that gas flaring and other hydrocarbon emissions contribute to kidney and other health problems.
The expert maintained that at least three or four of every 10 patients admitted in hospital, had kidney problems.
‘‘I took my team to a community which I won’t mention its name for political reasons, to ascertain the impact of gas flaring and oil explorations on the people living around there.
‘‘What we saw in the urine of the people was shocking; somehow, if you present it to the oil companies, it will look as if you want to disturb their business.
‘‘When we were training as medical doctors, we hardly saw or heard of kidney failure; it is now very common.
‘‘In every 10 people that are sick and admitted in hospital, at least three or four are kidney patients; it is worrisome.
‘‘So, in communities where oil explorations take place, we have a lot of kidney issues; most of my patients are from those communities.
‘‘Overall, I can authoritatively tell you as an expert that many of the diagnosed kidney diseases occur in the Niger Delta region than any other regions in the country.’’
Onyemekeiha identified the commonest causes of kidney failure as hypertension, diabetes and drug abuse, among others.
According to him, deformity among children occurs in an environment where gas is flared as pregnant women inhale the gas or drink of the acid rain water caused by oil explorations.
‘‘You cannot flare gas and say you want to reduce kidney problems,’’ he said.
The nephrologist urged people to be mindful of the kind of water they drink and maintain proper hygiene.
He also advised oil companies to seek alternative means of evacuating waste products in their crude oil, in view of its enormous health challenges.
Business
NCDMB, Dangote Refinery Unveil JTC On Deepening Local Content
Business
Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund For LIFE-ND Project
Business
Replace Nipa Palms With Mangroove In Ogoni, Group Urges FG, HYPREP
-
Rivers2 days ago
HOS Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP … As Project Sensitization Team Visit Degema, AKULGA
-
News2 days ago
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
-
Opinion2 days ago
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
HYPREP Trains Lab Technicians To Standardise Water Quality In Ogoniland
-
News2 days ago
Tinubu, Govs Forum Congratulate Okpebholo On S’Court Victory …As Obaseki Expresses Disappointment
-
Politics2 days ago
Lagos LG Polls: Police Restrict Movement, Tightens Security
-
Rivers2 days ago
VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria
-
Politics2 days ago
Obey Order On AA In Six Days, Court Directs INEC, Yakubu