The Rivers State government has set up a Technical Committee to implement the recommendations of the Scientific Committee previously constituted by the Rivers State Governor Barr Nyesom Wike to investigate the causes of SOOT observed in the state for some time now.
The committee will among other things find a lasting solution to worrisome situation and make recommendations.
The commissioner of Environment Mrs Roseline Kornya made this known recently at the Government House Port Harcourt while briefing journalists after State Executive Council Meeting.
Prof.Kornya stated that the Rivers State Government took the decision after a detailed consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Scientific Committee on SOOT.
According to her “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.
Honorable Attorney General Precious Edeh, Dr. Golden Ohana, Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner of Water Resources, others are representatives of the IOC, one each from Shell, Agip, Total, Petrol Chemical, Port Harcourt refineries and NLNG.
“There will also be a representative of the Civil Society, as well as Engineer Juliet Ohunna while the secretary of the committee will be nominated by the Ministry of Environment”.
According to the Commissioner, the Scientific Committee discovered twelve sources of SOOT in the State, and that the Technical Committee will work towards addressing the source of the SOOT.
She went further to say, ” The sources of SOOT are refineries, fertilizer companies, illegal refineries, setting ablaze of illegal refined petroleum products by the military, tyre burning, gas flaring, meat roasting with used tyres, asphalt plants, refuse burning among others “.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Information Chief Emma Okah, said that the SOOT was topical, adding that the Governor is poised to resolving it.
