Community Cries Out Over Environmental Pollution

The people of Ele Community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area have appealed to the Rivers State Government, the management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Onne/Ikpokiri, Port Complex and other relevant authorities to come to their aid over the environmental pollution that is affecting the community.
The Chairman, Ele Community Council of Chiefs, Chief Fred Iyawo Tiene Perefi made the call while fielding questions from journalists during a seminar organised by the Joint Free Zone Community Relations Initiative for Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) held in Port Harcourt last Thursday.
Chief Perefi said the activities of port operators, especially cement companies had been giving the inhabitants untold health challenges, adding that the call became necessary because acquatic life and their source of drinking water have been polluted.
The community leader hinted that the emission and pollutions from the companies and vessels at the seaport had been so much that the people were prone to medical check-ups periodically, while the roof on their houses are being destroyed due to massive corrosion.
He noted that if urgent steps were not taken, it could head to an outbreak of water-borne disease and other serious health related hazards.
“It is so pathetic and as I talk to you, all is not well environmentally, he fumed.
On the walk-out by the CLO’s from Onne over the recognition of Ele Community during the seminar, the Chiefs’ Council Chairman said their action was uncalled for, as Justice Kayode Eso’s Commission of inquiry in 2008, duely recognized Ele Community as one of the host communities of the Port Complex and the issue addressed long ago.