In a move to finally resolve the soot challenge facing the state, the
Rivers State Government has set up a Technical Committee to implement
the recommendations of the scientific committee established to
investigate the prevalence of soot.
Soot is a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of
amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter.
Briefing journalists after the Rivers State Executive Council meeting
that took place on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt ,
Commissioner of Environment, Prof Roseline Kornya said that the State
Government arrived at the decision after a detailed consideration of the
report of the Scientific Committee.
She said: ” The State Executive Council went ahead and appointed
members of the Technical committee for purpose of the implementation of
the report of the scientific committee.
“The technical committee is to be chaired by the Honorable Commissioner
for Environment and other members are as follows, Prof Precious Edeh,
Dr. Golden Ohana,the Honorable Attorney General and commissioner for
Justice, Commissioner of Water resources. Others are representatives of
the IOCs. One each from Shell, Agip, Total, Petrol chemical, Port
Harcourt refineries and NLNG.
“There will also be a representative of civil society ,as well as
Engineer Juliet Ohunna, while the secretary of the committee will be
nominated by the Ministry of Environment”.
The Commissioner said that the Scientific Committee discovered 12
sources of soot. She said that the Technical Committee will work
towards addressing the sources of soot.
“The sources of soot are: refineries, fertilizer companies, illegal
refineries, setting ablaze of illegally refined petroleum products by
the military , tyre burning , gas flaring, meat roasting with used
tyres, asphalt plants refuse burning among others”, she said.
Prof Konya said that the Rivers State Government has written to the
Federal Government to work with the state to tackle aspects that fall
within the purview of Federal Agencies .
Also speaking, Commissioner of Information, Emma Okah said that the
issue of soot is topical and the Wike Administration is committed to
resolving it.
He said that the Technical Committee would be inaugurated by the State
Governor at the commencement of his second term.
He noted that the State Government will continue to work for the
improvement of the environment.