By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the immediate fumigation of the river in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, following concerns over possible contamination after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in the coastal community.
The governor also directed the Ministries of Health and Environment to distribute nose masks and essential health kits to residents to minimise their exposure to potential health hazards arising from the incident.
The emergency measures followed complaints from residents about a strong stench emanating from the river, which serves as a major source of drinking water, cooking water, fishing and other daily activities for people in Igbokoda and neighbouring communities.
The ill-fated NAF ATR-42 aircraft reportedly crashed into a swamp near the Nigerian Air Force Forward Operating Base in Igbokoda last Monday while undertaking a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos.
According to the report, all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the incident. The aircraft subsequently sank into the swamp, prompting search-and-recovery operations involving military personnel and other emergency responders.
Efforts to recover the wreckage and the victims’ bodies have reportedly faced significant challenges because of the difficult swampy terrain. Excavation activities are continuing, with additional machinery being deployed to assist in retrieving the remaining parts of the aircraft.
Residents Raise Alarm Over Water Contamination
The traditional ruler of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, expressed concern over the possible contamination of the river, warning that the situation had disrupted the daily lives of residents who depend on it for their survival.
The monarch explained that the river was the community’s primary source of water for drinking, cooking and other domestic purposes, adding that residents were facing increased hardship because of the absence of an alternative water supply.
He also raised concerns about the unpleasant odour coming from the river following the crash and the ongoing recovery operations.
According to him, the suspected pollution poses a serious public health concern that requires urgent government intervention to protect the affected population.
Government Moves to Provide Safe Drinking Water
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed that Governor Aiyedatiwa had instructed the state Ministries of Health and Environment to commence extensive fumigation of the affected river.
Ajanaku explained that the intervention was designed to reduce potential health risks and prevent a possible disease outbreak in the community.
He added that the governor had directed the Ilaje Local Government Area to make arrangements for water tankers to supply potable water to residents continuously if assessments established that the river was severely polluted and unsafe for use.
The commissioner noted that the temporary water distribution arrangement would remain in place until a lasting solution was implemented to address the situation.
The government also directed the relevant ministries to distribute nose masks and other essential health materials to residents as part of efforts to protect them from possible environmental hazards.
Ondo Government Pledges Support for Recovery Operations
Beyond the public health intervention, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Nigerian Air Force in its ongoing efforts to evacuate the aircraft wreckage and recover the victims.
Ajanaku said the administration remained concerned about the safety and welfare of residents in the affected community and would continue to take necessary measures to address the challenges arising from the crash.
The incident has raised concerns about environmental safety in Igbokoda, particularly because of the community’s dependence on the affected river for its livelihood and essential domestic needs.
As recovery operations continue, the immediate priorities remain the safe retrieval of the aircraft wreckage, the protection of residents from potential health risks and the provision of reliable drinking water while the condition of the river is assessed.
The state government’s intervention is expected to provide temporary relief to affected residents as authorities work towards a lasting solution to the suspected water contamination.
