*Farm produce, trees dry up
*Residents Express fears over health implications
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Several communities within Kaduna metropolis have been ravaged by chemicals allegedly released from the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), with many of those affected, boiling in anger.
The impact has been noticed on plants in Sabo GRA, Nissi Village, Oil Village, NNPC Quarters and Kapam.
Our correspondent who took a tour of the affected areas on Thursday September 26, 2024, reports that farmers are counting losses as their crops were seen drying up as a result of the effect of the chemical.
Economic trees, as well as trees and flowers planted in residential homes were not spared.
Authorities of the refinery as at press time, are yet to tell our correspondent what caused the devastating effects on the environment.
Residents of affected communities spoken to randomly, also expressed fears over their health, wondering what impact the said chemical could have on their lives, following what was observed from the affected plants.
The incident was said to have been noticed over two weeks ago, when crops were seen drying up mysteriously in Kapam and Nissi Village.
It was gathered that the KRPC management, in a way of intervention, went to affected areas and distributed milk to residents, to mitigate the effect of the chemical.
However, three days ago, other communities, not affected by the first incident, started complaining about drying crops in their farms and residences.
The latest victims of the chemical incidence are, Oil Village, NNPC Quarters and neighbouring Sabo GRA.
Sources also informed that the KRPC management has also held meetings with farmers affected by the first incident and have taken their names and stock of affected farms, with expectation of compensation for damaged crops.
Several attempts to hear from the management of KRPC proved abortive as calls put through to a number given to our correspondent, as that of the Public Affairs Manager of KRPC, going by the name Jimah Mahmoud were neither picked, nor returned.
Messages sent to the number were also not replied.
As it stands, health risks of the said chemical on humans in the affected areas remains unknown, although, sources said some victims in the first communities affected, fainted following exposure.
