By Dare Akogun
The Kwara State Government has pledged immediate intervention following reports of an oil spill that has contaminated multiple water sources in Ifelagba community, located in the Sobi area of Ilorin East Local Government.
During a visit to the affected area, the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, said the government was taking the incident seriously and would initiate a thorough geological and environmental investigation to determine the extent of the contamination.
Preliminary findings suggest that four wells and a borehole in the community have been affected by a petroleum-like substance, resulting in water scarcity and raising concerns about public health.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of residents. Detailed assessments will be conducted, and we will work with relevant federal agencies to trace the source and understand the risks involved,” Ms. Adelodun told residents during the on-the-spot assessment.
She added that the state government would not allow the community to face the crisis alone, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts between state and federal institutions in addressing environmental emergencies.
Also speaking a representative from the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Saadudeen, said investigations would focus on identifying the origin of the spill and proposing remediation strategies to prevent further damage.
The Chairman of Ifelagba community, Alhaji Ajadi AbdulAzeez, disclosed that residents discovered the petroleum-like substance in their water sources days ago, leading to widespread panic and a shortage of clean drinking water.
“This is a serious environmental and public health issue. We are glad the government responded promptly, but we urgently need clean water while investigations continue,” he said.
The Magaji of Ifelagba, Alhaji Mohammed Amori Ajape, also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for dispatching officials to assess the situation. He appealed for the immediate provision of potable water to avert a looming health crisis.
