There is danger currently in Ahoada West Local Government area, Rivers State, as the Orashi River is boiling like hot water, making it unsafe for the people of Engenni and the Ekpeye that lives along the Orashi River.
In between Oshie and Akalamini communities, all in Ahoada West Local Government area of Rivers State, at the center of the river, the water is boiling seriously, the waves that is coming out from that very spot will not even allow canoe to get close. If you try go close to the spot, the wave can turn your canoe upside down resulting to serious accident, fishermen and farmers passing through that route navigate from the corner.
It was reported to be a gas emission. The pipeline that is emitting this gas, which is causing the water to boil, was said to belong to Agip now Oando. This thing has been on since last year and the company has done nothing to stop it.
As we know, the Engenni and Ekpeye people living along the Orashi River make use of that water as their source of drinking water. Most of the Engenni people are fishermen and for almost a year there has leakage in pipeline and gas is being emitted into the river causing the river to boil, and up till now nothing has been done by the company to stop it.
The lives of the people are in danger not excluding the aquatic livelihood. All efforts by the communities to call on Oando to come and clamp it proved abortive.
Reacting to the development, the President General of notable Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress, ONC, Amb Comrade Emeni Ibe said, “The boiling of Orashi River needs urgent attention. I therefore, call on the Government at different levels, Environmental activists, and Oando, whose gas pipeline is reportedly involved in the emissions for immediate attention to this matter”.
“I also use this medium to call on all appropriate government bodies to please come to the aide of the Engenni and Ekpeye people that are living along the Orashi River, whose lives and livelihood are greatly affected.”