Proximity of abattoirs to the people’s source of drinking water in Delta state has triggered off an epidemic that has claimed 31 lives in just six months, forcing the state government to embark on a fire brigade approach to sanitise all abattoirs located at the periphery of the rivers, The Daily Times has gathered.
The channeling of the disposal of solid wastes through the waters – especially the unhygienic disposal of abattoir wastes, it would be recalled, has been one of the major problems affecting the quality of river, stream, lake and other bodies of water, as good sources of domestic water across the nation.
Environmentalists are uneasy that the unwholesome practice exhibited by the violators of environmental laws, does not only affect the quality of our domestic waters, but also provides harbourage for disease vectors and causes emission of odour and other environmental nuisance.
Many sources of domestic water, such as streams, rivers, lakes and others, experienced series of such pollution across the nation.
Unfortunately, the violation of such environmental laws in Delta State is a common sight in places where abattoirs are sited, such as Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area, Boji-Boji Owa in Ika Northeast Local Government Area, Iyi-Ubu at Aboh-Ogwashi, in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Cable-Point and Otu-Ogwu in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Ozoro among others.
The proximity of abattoir to Orogodo River, in Agbor, constitutes one of the primary environmental sanitation challenges affecting the quality of water in Orogodo River in Ika land.
In addition, the establishment of abattoirs along the coastal plains in Delta State, paves way for the indiscriminate dumping and swashing of slaughtered animal wastes into the bodies of water.
One of the surveys recently carried out by researchers, to monitor the quality of the river waters in order to reduce the level of water-borne diseases likely to affect the local population downstream on River Otamiri, in Rivers State, unveiled a lot of environmental challenges to researchers.
The results after the investigation, confirmed that the presence of waste dump site near the river, has significant effects on the river water quality. Also, the main values of most parameters analysed fell below NAFDAC and World Health Organisation standards for drinking water.
The most important finding was the high concentration of bacteria in the river water daily consumed by locals which researchers say, makes the water unfit for domestic consumption.
The effect of climatic factors, especially high temperature and rainfall, also contributed significantly in expanding the seasonal variations of water quality parameters.
According to the findings, the impacts of pollution (loads) in the river from the waste dump site is more during the rainy season than during the dry season, due to the increase rate of leaching and run-off arising. The findings stressed the importance of proper waste disposal units.
Consequently, the discharge of slaughtered animal wastes and indiscriminate dumping of filth in the drainage systems – (which are eroded into the River) in Boji-Boji Agbor/Boji-Boji Owa and environs – calls for the immediate intervention of stakeholders in environmental sanitation to curb this glaring violation of sanitation laws.
One of the environmental consequences of the poor management of filth along Orogodo River plain, The Daily Times gathered, is the extensive dumping of refuse into the river; an action which costs the river its deep depth and reduces the river to mere shallow waters.
Furthermore, the continuous dumping of waste from abattoirs, especially those situated closer to the bodies of domestic source of water across the state, calls for emergency solution.
Investigation has revealed that poor management of abattoir wastes located along the Orogodo River, Iyi-Ubu at Aboh-Ogwashi, Cable-Point and Otu-Ogwu in Asaba and along the River Niger coastal plain greatly contributed to the pollution of the waters.
Concerned stakeholders therefore called for the immediate intervention of the State Ministry of Environment, to address the health-related challenges to avert poor management of abattoir waste-induced diseases.
In like manner, the leadership of the butchers’ union, led by Chief John Osamede Adun, called for urgent attention to check the prevailing situation of the polluted drinking waters.
In a swift reaction, State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. John Nani, said the state government was doing something about the sanitary system of the abattoirs across the state; he added that a taskforce has been set up to monitor the activities of abattoirs.
Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
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