Abia State Government weekend, became worried as a community stream in Aro Ajatakiri in Ajata-na-Igu Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state became coloured and fishes in the stream and ponds were found dead in many areas.
As a result therefore, the state government has issued a health alarm, advising the community to desist from using the water untill after full investigation.
The statement issued by the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna read in full: “It has come to the notice of the Abia Site Government. through the Ministry of Environment, Abia State that the Aro Ajatakiri Community stream situate and Iying at Aro Ajatakirt, in Ajate-na-Igu Autonomous Community in thwuano LGA of Abia State has been contaminated and unfit for human consumption and use.
“In furtherance of this report of the above stated health hazard, the Ministry of Environment, Abia State wishes to inform the members of the said community and the general public to desist hencetorth from making further use of the comunity stream, pending the investigation and feasibility study of the stream and its area which is currently being carried out by the state Minstry of Environment.
“Please be guided accordingly and ensure total compliance”.
Explaining further on the cause of the contamination, Ogbonna said “investigation is still on. We want to establish it. We don’t want to base on suspicion. The team investigating it is already doing that.
“The water colour changed to something else that is not what it used to be. The investigating team went there and interacted with the community who informed that fishes were dying in that stream and some fish ponds got affected with their fishes dying.
“So, by that, the water has been contaminated and we are trying to establish the source of contamination and what is likely to be wastes from companies around. We want to be very meticulous in what we are doing to enable us pin down the source of contamination based on proper investigation”.
When contacted, the traditional ruler of the community, King Larry Agwu said he heard about it a day earlier stating that he has called a stakeholder from the village who couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the contamination, stating however that his investigation Sunday points towards fishermen who use Gamalin 20 to fish in the stream, adding, “this is the little that I know”.
All efforts to get the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo on the preparedness of the health ministry to handle the issues was not possible.
