Women for Sustainability (WfS), a Niger-Delta environmental health advocacy group, has attributed the almost disappearance of the ‘soot’ to ongoing military operations to rid the region of economic criminals.
Soot is a deep black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter.
The Convener of the Group, Ms Ibieye Batubo, in a statement yesterday, expressed optimism that soot, which appeared in the region following the activities of crude oil and products theft, would soon be a thing of the past.
Batubo said the people of the region, especially those residing in Port-Harcourt city, were happy that the military was gradually finding a solution to the air pollution that has negatively affected the health of the people.
She added that investigations revealed that although it has not been completely eradicated, the situation is far better than what it was before now.
She commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, for his commitment towards finding a lasting solution to the economic sabotage.
Batubo also urged the troops to sustain their efforts to stop the criminals from stealing the commonwealth of the people and spreading diseases in the region.
“While we commend the Defence Headquarters for playing a major role in the reduction of soot in the region, we say it is still not uhuru.
“We want to have an environment devoid of pollution that breeds diseases.
“We, therefore, appeal to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor, and his troops not to give in to the antics of the crude oil thieves, some of whom are not ready to give up on crime.
“For the very first time, we have a CDS that has visited the region on several occasions because of economic sabotage,” she added.
The group also appealed to residents of the region to cooperate with troops in solving the noticeable problems. (NAN)
We want to have an environment devoid of pollution that breeds diseases.
