The appointment of Senator Ned Nwoko as Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment is a sign of relief to his constituents. Delta North is synonymous with environmental pollution, from gas flaring in the oil producing areas to coal mining pollution now in Aniocha North.
Over the years, our rivers, Ojiokpa and Omi-Odo in Nkwu-Nzu within the Aniocha North Council Area, have been a source of drinking water to our people. But recently Omi-Odo and Ojiokpa rivers have been polluted by Mosra Enerji Limited, a company mining coal in Ugboba, Aniocha North LGA. Omi-Odo river has changed to brownish and we don’t know the substance that is mixed with the water. The mining site is just behind the river.
Omi-Odo river flows directly into Ojiokpa river which is a bigger one. Ojiokpa flows into the Utor river in Ubulubu and goes like that to the River Niger. As we speak, both rivers have been polluted. Hundreds of Igbos living in Ukwu-Nzu camps get their drinking water from Ojiokpa river.
This is a disaster waiting to happen, because there may be a break out of Cholera and other water borne diseases soon. Come to think of it, what is the cause of this change in the colour of the river? What we saw at the coal site in Ugboba earlier did not show it will affect the river, but the reverse is the case now. Is it that Mosra Enerji is mining other minerals around that area? Why is it that they don’t allow their staff to go into the mining site with phones?
A coal company like Mosra Enerji Limited should have put some amenities like a health centre in place in the host community before commencement of work. If a child has Cholera in any of these communities, before getting to FMC, Asaba, what happens? The borehole the company dug in Ukwu-Nzu is not functioning. We have no other source of drinking water than the rivers and wells and the wells are dried up.
Reliably, we learnt that the people of Ugboba are not happy too, because most of their youths are not employed. The company brings their staff from outside the LGA. We were told only four individuals in the town are enjoying what is supposed to be for all.The environmental hazard may be multiple if we do not holistically look into the agreement being signed by the four Obis.
The company made us understand that their style of mining will not be like the normal one we used to know. That they will dig the coal and afterwards they will cover the pit with the red sand they dug out from the surface. Now they are selling the red sand as they are selling the coal. What will they use to cover the pit after operation?
The law specifically said the company should deposit $400 million in the World bank, and signatories should be the host community. After their operation and the pits are not covered, the host community will withdraw the money to do the needful. Mosra Enerji has not done any of these. When they came in, we were told they are to build a power plant in the community, but they are excavating the coal for use in Kogi State.
We need to see this agreement reached by Mosra Enerji Limited with these four Obis. Their matter is now a matter of urgency.
We appeal to our distinguished Senator who intend to use dialogue to encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices to avoid epidemic in these communities.
Comrade Iyke Okonji writes from Nkwu-Nzu for Senator Ned Nwoko Feedback Lead Admin.
