*Petroleum, Environment Ministries to collaborate over ending soot in Rivers
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has said that the continued air pollution in Port Harcourt caused by hydrocarbon soot was unacceptable, as it has made life hellish for the people.
To this end, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has assured that he was deeply concerned about the soot, announcing that the petroleum ministry will work with the ministry of environment to tackle the issue.
The Minister said this at the just concluded National Council on Hydrocarbon held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nasir Gwazor, Sylva assured that the federal government was committed to tackling the menace of soot pollution in Rivers State and environs.
“My good people of Port Harcourt, the soot is unacceptable. It has made life hellish for residents.
“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, therefore, realises this problem and we are going to continue to work with the Ministry of Environment to provide a lasting solution.”
Also, the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Peter Medee, appealed to Rivers people to avoid the temptation of getting involved in crude oil theft nd illegal bunkering of petroleum products.
Medee urged the people to continue to support the efforts of the federal government to strengthen the production of crude oil, especially since it remains the country’s current major source of revenue.
