C’River Rice Farms Suffer Pollution From Spilled Diesel * Rep Member Worried, Seeks Help For Victims
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Owners of rice farms in Ekureku, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State are still in tears, following the destruction of their farms as a diesel tanker fell, spilling its contents thereon.
The incident happened at Gegbamba, near Ngba Ibongholo (the junction of the Akarefor yam barn. According to the natives, the diesel flowed from the point where the tanker somersaulted to a popular stream called Ntom, near Egboronyi.
The incident led to a fire outbreak, which engulfed a lot of the rice farms believed to be worth millions of naira. Some of the affected farmers are calling on the federal government come to their aid to enable them come out of their losses.
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives from the area, Dr Alex Egbona has made a case to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) asking them to intervene by providing relief materials for the victims.
Egbona who lamented the effect of the disaster on the rice farmers said it was one disaster too many for his people. He said “I am really touched by this incident. It has affected my people and their sources of livelihood.
“My people are basically farmers and with this incident, a lot of the people have been deprived of their sources of living. These are local farmers who have had to rely on their rice farms to feed their families.
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“Apart from the effect on the farmers, the economy of Ekureku will also suffer seriously. Hunger looms in this part of my federal constituency and I am pleading with NEMA to hasten and come to the aid of my people. They must not be allowed to die of hunger for no fault of theirs.”
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