Lawmaker, Environmentalist Urge Action On Black Soot

The lawmaker represent
ing Port Harcourt Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victoria Nyeche and the chairman, Health, Safety and Environment, Chinwo Town, Prince William Chinwo have called for more commitment on the part of government to end the black soot incidence in the state.
In separate interviews with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Nyeche and Prince Chinwo said that the black soot incidence cannot be beyond the capacities of both the State and Federal Governments to tackle.
Hon. Nyeche on her part acknowledged the effort of the Rivers State Government in tackling the soot through the constitution of a committee on the black soot, while the Rivers State House of Assembly also invited the State Commissioner for Environment on the issue.
She however said that since the problem still persist an avenue must be sought to totally eliminate it.
“We have to ensure that the problem is sorted out or actually eliminated because it is a cumulative challenge as we might not see the effect now, but if you do a Health Impact Analysis (HIA), you will know that there is an increase in the number of respiratory problems.
“It will be worse for children because their respiratory organs are not well developed, so they are more susceptible to health and lungs related challenges,” she said.
On his part, the chairman’ Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Chinwo Town, Port Harcourt City, Prince William Chinwo blamed the problem on illegal oil bunkering and the continuous flaring of gas by multinational corporations.
Chinwo said the security forces must also be urged to stop the incessant burning of seized bargoes laden with crude oil, stressing that such action is not only destroying the environment but contributing to the soot.
He said that, there must be a modification in the way illegal oil bunkerers refined their products.
The environmentalist also criticised multinational oil companies for continuously flaring gas, stressing that the situation is contributing to the black soot.
While urging for reorientation of those involved in illegal oil bunkering, Chinwo also called on the government to convert pipelines to highway as it was done in Russia and other countries, stressing that converting pipelines to highways will check its incessant vandalisations by criminals.
He also called for the involvement of experts in finding solution to the problem.