As the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) situated in Kapam community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State is undergoing turnaround maintenance, Civil society organisations (CSOs) have asked the company Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company to stop alleged release of harmful chemicals in its host community.
The CSOs which include; Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action (ERA), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation (CAPPA), in a joint statement at weekend, berated KRPC’s failure to notify its host community of the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere in Kapam community.
In a joint statement by the CSOs, they noted that this negligence on the part of KRPC’s, according to residents of Kapam community, led to the contamination of the air and water in the area, including destruction of crops and livestock.
The CSO’s demanded that the KRPC should not only take urgent steps to cease further pollution of the community in the interest of public health and livelihood in Kapam community.
The CSO’s also asked KRPC to immediately start assessment of the damage cause by the pollutants with a view to prevent a recurrence nd speedily provide comenstruate compensation to the victims of pollution in the communtiy for the losses and damages caused by the avoidable environment pollution.
Mining Marshals arrest, prosecutes 7 illegal miners in Kogi and Ondo State
Mining Marshals hs arrested two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian during a recent operation codenamed – ‘Hayakin Kogo’ in the Ikah community of Ankpa Local Government Area in Kogi State, for engaging in illegal mining activities without approved authorisation.
In a similar operation in Ondo State, the Mining Marshals raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa area within the Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo local governmenta area. Four illegal miners were arrested.
These was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Monday. The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, these illegal miners were caught in the act of illegallymining gold in Government Reserved Area (GRA), and they confessed after interogation that they did not possess necessary licence for mining activities.
”The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo State have since been charged to the Federal High Court Abuja,” the statementreads in part.
Adamawa Poly students protests over water scarcity, toilet facilities
Scores ofAdamawa State Polytechnic students have staged peaceful protest against water scarcity, lack of adequate toilet facilities and epileptic power supply in the institution of higher learning.
The students converged at the front of the main gate of the polythechnic by the major road linking Jimeta, headquarters of Yola North local government area, with Yola Town, the headquarters of Yola South LGA.
The students wielded sticks and green leaves shouting on op of their voice indicating that water scarcity and irregular power supply were the major chaallenge confronting them in the polythechnic, adding that there are other sundry issues.
They were heard loud and clear by passers-by saying the management of the institution made themselves inaccessible for the students to lodge their complaints, hence they embarked on the protest to show their grievances against the management.
The students noted that water scarcity, insufficient toilet facilities are the three major challenge that made life on the polythechnic campus difficult.
They berated the management for not allowing Student Union and Management relationship which led to non-availability of any student representatives to talk about thgeir challenges in the polythechnic on behalf of the students.
Addressing members of the press over the students protest, the Rector of the polythechnic, Prof. Mohammed Toungos, blamed the worsening electricity supply situation in the polythechnic on high cost of energy adding that the cost of both electricity and diesel have skyrocketed.
On water scarcity, he said considering the importance of water for the students needs, the management bought diesel to power the polythechnic borehole while mobilizing funds to pay the bill but the water got exhausted at weekend which sparked the protest.
Ondo govt engages service private security firm to protect farmers
In spite of theservice being rendered by Ondo State Security Network – Amotekun Corps, the state government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has engaged the service of a private security firm to give additional protection to farmers in the state.
The private security firm – Global Olabod Resources Limited, would be collaborating with the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in ensuring that bandits and hoodlums are flushed out of the state’s forest reserves.
Chairman Global Olabod Resources, Eniola Ogunbodede disclosed this during the state security awareness tour in Idanre Local Government Area of the state. He was represented at the event by the company’s Operation Manager, Debo Ariyo.
He said the motive of the state government this initiative was to address the outcry of farmers across the state who were being threathened on their farmlands by herders and hoodlums.
According to Ogunbodede, ”The state governor wants food to be available in abundanceacross the state, that is why he has to protect the farmers in their farmlands across the state through us, the Global Olabod Resources Limited.
”We are coordinating ll security agencies in the state in implementing this initiative and in achieving gret success for the benefit of all and sundry.
”We have kick-started the process and that is why wer are here so that we can carry you along in full implementation of this initiative.”