FG Declares Emergency Situation in Port Harcourt over ‎Air Pollution

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The federal government on Monday declared the air pollution in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, ’emergency situation’‎, while investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the air pollution.

Subsequently, the federal government has issued a notice to temporarily shut down an asphalt processing plant in Port Harcourt belching out thick smoke from its operation to bring the situation under control.

A statement issued ‎by Ms. Efe Ovuakporie on behalf of the Ministry of Environment said that the air pollution which usually manifests in the form of soot has been on for more than eight weeks and has greatly impacted negatively on the air quality in Port Harcourt and its surroundings.

She said: “In a bid to urgently address the air pollution problem in Port Harcourt and its environs, the Federal Ministry of Environment has declared the air pollution in Port Harcourt an ‘Emergency Situation’ and has subsequently issued a notice to temporarily shut down an asphalt processing plant in Port Harcourt belching out thick smoke from its operation to bring the situation under control while investigation is also ongoing to determine the cause of the air pollution.”

More to come…