Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The federal government has shut down a Chinese company polluting water supply in Karshi area council of the federal capital territory (FCT).
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) broke the news on Friday, stating that the agency has shut down a Chinese gold mining company, Hongao Mining Company Limited located in Kutasa Community, Karshi, FCT.
The community had written to NESREA alleging that the company was polluting its streams which are its source of drinking water through its gold mining activity.
Following the allegations, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro led an investigation visit to the site. Soil and water samples were collected from the stream and subjected to laboratory analysis.
The result from the laboratory analysis showed high levels of Lead and Mercury above permissible limits. These are harmful to humans and can affect the liver, kidney and brain; as well as living organisms in the water and the environment.
Following the result from the laboratory analysis, NESREA promptly sealed off the facility on Tuesday 25th September, 2020.
Briefing the press on the sealing, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof Aliyu Jauro said, “the concentration of Lead and Mercury is far above the permissible limit and they do not have an effluent treatment plant that is used to treat the waste water before discharging.”
He further disclosed that two staff of the company who destroyed the seal were immediately arrested by the police and will face prosecution.
“Some of the workers tampered with the seal and two of them are now arrested and we are going to prosecute them for destroying government property,” he added.
TheNigerialawyer recalls how the company ruined the water supply which serves at least six communities in Karshi.
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