Health Workers, NGOs Raise Alarm Over Use Of Chemicals For Fishing In Abia Community
Stakeholders have raised alarm over the use of chemicals to harvest fish in Nkporo Community in Ohafia LGA of Abia State.
The stakeholders including health workers and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, noted the grave danger associated with consumption of fish harvested with chemicals and water contaminated with chemicals.
They called on Traditional Rulers and Town Union Executives, to quickly ban the use of chemicals for any activity in their streams.
The concern followed report of a recent survey that fishermen in Nkporo Community still use chemicals and treated-mosquito nets to harvest fish, thus, introducing harmful chemicals to both the fish and water which is the only source of drinking water in the community.
The survey which was conducted by a non-governmental organisation, Innovation Hub for Inclusiveness, Empowerment, and Social Development (SieDi-Hub), revealed that consumers of both the fish and water contaminated by the chemicals are at the risk of cancer and dangerous water-borne diseases.
According to the report presented during a press conference in Umuahia to mark the NGO’s first anniversary, the health care sector in the state needs urgent intervention as the primary health centres across the state lack the basic amenities.
“The assessment survey presented the need for clean drinking water in Nkporo Community where the stream is the only water source.
“Respondents decried fishermen’s economic activities using treated mosquito nets and formalin for their fishing activities, polluting the only water source.
“Intake of contaminated water introduces micro-organisms, bacteria, and harmful chemicals into the body, which cause water-borne diseases and infections such as diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, and cholera, and deterioration of the kidney and liver,” the report said.
