Fishermen In Nasarawa State Sends SOS Message To Gov Sule Over Incessant Water Pollution

Rabiu Omaku

….declares Ali Angwan Arume wanted

The Fishery Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Limited (FCFNL) , Nasarawa State Chapter irked over the increasing cases of water pollution in the State has appealed to the State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule to as a matter of importance to declare a State of emergency on illegal fishing activities in the State.

The State Chairman of the Association, Honorable Mohammed Bashir Umar gave the revelation at Rutu community of Doma Local Government Area of the State at the weekend.

Umar during the event held at the waterside said the State Government would no longer condone any act meant to destroy seafood in the body of water in the State, adding that saboteurs of Government effort will never go on punished.

He further said the Association and the State Government are working relentlessly to address the ugly trend of water pollution ranging from the use of deadly chemicals like gamalin 20, the use of dynamite, and blocking water.

He warned fishermen who are in the habit of polluting water and killing all lives in fresh waters as well as causing havoc to the entire fishing communities to change a new leave or if arrested by security operatives will never go scot-free.

The State Chairman affirmed that the risk of eating chemical fish includes miscarriage amongst pregnant women and abnormal growth by children among others, He also urged the State Government, especially the office of the Secretary to the State Government to revisit its plan to set up a committee that would mitigate the increasing cases of water pollution in the State.

Contributors at the event, who are mostly in charge of bodies of water within their communities gave damned verdicts of plans by disgruntled elements who are planning to pollute water in no distance time.

According to the leaders of the fishing community of  Burum-Burum community of Doma Local Government. Kefas Sunday says setting up of high power committee to checkmate fishermen using illegal means to destroy fish should be held responsible.

“As I’m talking to you now, I have a pending case of water pollution hanging at Burum-burum palace.

While Zappaniah Bitrus urged the State Government and FCFNL to take urgent steps to nab such people who are in the habit of moving around with deadly weapons during such illegal operations.

The in-charge of Kututure fishing community ( Sarkin Ruwa) said the surrounding communities within Kututure are prone to water pollution, listing those on the high risk to include Burum-burum,Iga community in Nasarawa Eggon,Kwatan Arume, and Burum-burum No way,Kututure,Yelwa in Kokona and Ruwan Baka in Doma.

” Stringent measures must be taken to avert the plans of gullible fishermen who are harboring the evil merchants destroying lives in rivers “.

The Sarkin Ruwan Iwashi in his remarks, confirmed the use of chemicals and diversion of waters in some bodies of water while the Madakin Rutu who represents the village head of Rutu,Sale Madaki Awashu attributed the unabated pollution of water to the inability of the Government at all levels to prosecute offenders.

He also reminded the Association of the need to provide means of identification to all members of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, Limited, as well uniforms for those within the riverine communities.

Recalling memory lane during the reign of the first executive Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, some persons,Afo people were arrested and the Governor ordered that they be reminded in the correctional centre for some time.

The State Coordinator of FCFNL, Abubakar Baba Awe in his remark, hails all appointees in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resource, he attributed the paradigm shift in the ministry to the uncommon commitment of the former commissioner of agriculture and the Director of Fisheries, Judah Attah for their kind support.

He appealed to fishermen to shun any act that may lead to the death of fish and other aquatics in the river.