Uvwie fish ponds declared environmental disasters

By Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI—FISH ponds in Uvwie have been declared environmental disaster area by the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bello Orubebe.

He said this following an oil spillage from a sunken tug boat at the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, which has destroyed fish ponds in Ugboroke, New Layout, Ekpan  and Agadaga areas, killing over 6,000 fishes with more on the verge of death.

The Commissioner made the declaration while on tour of the affected fish ponds, yesterday. He ordered the immediate halt in the sale and consumption of fishes from the ponds, pending thorough laboratory tests.

A visibly angry Orubebe said, “the Governor expressed shock as hard working Deltans are being plunged into poverty. He is on top of the matter. He commiserates with the people  over their loss.

In the main time, do not sell these polluted fishes. They are contaminated, they now contain bio-degradable content which is harmful.”

“From my preliminary view of the substance, the pollutant is a petroleum substance, the final  result will be released after a laboratory test. Our concern is to get the polluters to pay, we will work with other agencies. I have seen the source of the pollution at Chevron yard, the annoying thing is that they have not condone the area off. I will give them 48hours to come out with a remedial plan and adequate compensation, they cannot avoid their  responsibility,” he added.

Orubebe also said that over 6,000 farmers were affected and wants a proper documentation of the exact numbers of farmers affected but promised that his Ministry will in conjunction with other agencies, carry out examination on whether the remaining fishes can be sold to avoid a colossal loss.