The people of Idjerhe in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State have said that they had lost fish ponds worth N445 million to the pollution of River Ethiope through the activities of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and SPDC.
The traditional ruler of the community, Erhiekevwe I, who spoke to journalists yesterday on behalf of the people, disclosed that they have petitioned relevant authorities to come to their aid as the oil companies that allegedly caused the spills have refused to clean up the river.
As it were, River Ethiope is the only source of drinking water for the people who are said to have lost six persons as a result of the polluted water in the past few days.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the people depend on the river for other forms of commercial activities such as fishing and transportation which explained why the monarch was appealing to the relevant authorities to come to their aid and save the lives of the people.
While lamenting that many of his people were currently admitted in hospitals, the monarch said that their source of drinking water had been contaminated including the fishes.
LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that the entire river has been covered with crude oil leaving hundreds of fish dead.
But officials of the oil companies who did not want their names in print said that efforts were being made to address the problem.
LEADERSHIP, Abuja
