Abia State government has raised alarm over hydrocarbons water contamination in Ohanso community in Ukwa East local government area of the state.
The commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu spoke on this at a press briefing after the state executive council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, the state capital.
Kanu explained that to avert the dangers in drinking the water, the government had set up an emergency management team to provide the community with potable water.
The commissioner, who said the team is led by the commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Joel Ogbonna assured that the government is investigating the matter.
“The Ministry of Health will investigate the extent of danger the contamination posed to the people and how they may have been affected by ingesting the water,“ he announced.
“This underscores the compassionate governance style and philosophy of the government to provide immediate solutions to communities that are under danger in any way or form,“
Contributing, Ogbonna informed that the alarm followed reports that substance suspected to be crude oil was seen in a newly dugged well in the oil bearing community.
Ogbonna, who said preliminary investigation revealed that the water is contaminated, added that the government had set up a committee to ascertain the level and the remedy.