NEMA Advises Lagos Residents In Oil Spill Area Not To Breathe Contaminated Air

By SaharaReporters, New York

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised Nigerians who live in the areas affected by the spilling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) against inhaling the product.
In a statement by Information Officer Ibrahim Farinloye of NEMA South West in Lagos, the agency said that the spillage is a result of the indiscriminate activities of vandals who left the product to spill into the surrounded areas.
It also strongly advised residents of the affected areas not to drink or use the river water, as the ruptured pipeline is located under the Ogun River.
NEMA said that the warnings became necessary as a result of distress calls from the residents of Oluwole Bisiriyu Street, Ilori Coker crescent, Kayode Williams Estate and Akute-Odo area in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos over the pollution of the air as a result of pipeline vandalism over night by vandals.
The residents complained of serious stomach upset, nausea and coughing, and the agency advised them to seek medical tests, advice and treatment so as to avoid future health complications.
“NEMA on getting the alert mobilized the safety personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the development and are almost concluding fixing the ruptured pipeline,” the agency said.
“The Federal Government pleas that communities and residents of any disaster risks areas should join hands in disaster risk reduction management as the immediate and long time effects of disasters are mostly inflicting negative impacts on the poor and less privileged,” NEMA said.