Contamination has killed aquatic animals, destroyed our farms – Abia community cries out

The people of Aro Ajatakiri community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State have bemoaned the destruction of fishes, other aquatic animals and farmlands owing to the recent contamination of their community stream.

The Aro Ajatakiri stream, which serves different purposes for the rural dwellers, was last week polluted by materials from a yet-to-be identified source.

In a quick response, the Abia State government, through the ministry of environment, directed the public to discontinue the use of water from the stream until the end of the ministry’s investigation.

But many members of the affected community have lamented the hardship the contaminated stream has brought upon them.

Speaking through one of their leaders, Okeosisi Harbour, the Aro Ajatakiri people appealed to the Abia State government to come to their aid.

The community made the appeal while receiving the wife of Abia Governor, Mrs Pricilia Otti who visited the affected area to sympathise with them.

Addressing the Aro Ajatakiri people, Mrs Otti expressed shock about the incident but promised that the state government would provide water boreholes in the area.

Also addressing the worried villagers, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna said that investigations were on to determine the root cause of the contamination, vowing that adequate sanctions await any person or organization found to be responsible.

Ogbonna advised companies and individuals in the area to properly dispose of their wastes.