Seventeen days after a military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, residents are still complaining about a persistent foul odour, alleged water pollution and losses to their fishing business.
The residents said the situation had disrupted their social and economic activities, urging the federal and Ondo State governments to expedite efforts to clean up the affected area.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft reportedly crashed in the community, killing no fewer than 25 people on board. Military personnel have since been working to recover the remains of the deceased and the wreckage of the aircraft.
Following complaints about the stench, the Ondo State Government said it had begun efforts to clean up the affected area to address possible environmental pollution.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tobi Loco, said the government was aware of the environmental concerns in the riverine community and had commenced efforts to fumigate the area to prevent a possible disease outbreak.
He said, “When the incident happened, there was some level of contamination because our efforts to recover the passengers who were on board were not successful.
“Up till now, we have not been able to recover a full body. All that we could get were body parts, and some of them have yet to be recovered. So, that is a clear signal that there is serious decomposition attracting microorganisms to the site.
“Don’t forget that when the crash occurred, the possibility of aviation fuel contaminating the surroundings and the water in that locality, as well as volatile organic compounds polluting the water, cannot be ruled out. So, when the people say they perceive an offensive odour, these are possible pollutants. Nobody can discount the possibility of such an occurrence.
“That is why we are mobilising to the site for an assessment. We are going to assess the level of contamination that has taken place. As a matter of fact, we are going to undertake air quality and water quality tests to determine precisely the level of contamination.
“When we return, we will carry out what I will call decontamination, so that the people living in that vicinity and its environment can have a breath of fresh air, with their means of livelihood, which is the water, protected and purified for normal use.”
However, residents said the fumigation exercise had yet to begin, adding that they feared the suspected pollution was affecting their water and fishing activities.
A fisherman, Mr Festus Ikumola, said the government had not commenced the promised fumigation, adding that the incident had severely affected his business.
He said, “They said they would begin fumigation, but nothing has been happening. We are only seeing the military and the police at the scene of the incident trying to recover the crashed plane, but they don’t allow civilians near the area.
“We want to appeal to the government to carry out the fumigation as promised. This is taking too long. They should not allow an outbreak of disease in this community.”
On the impact on fishing, Ikumola said, “We don’t see as many fish to catch again. I think the water is no longer conducive for them because of pollution. The incident has seriously affected our business.”
Another resident, who identified himself as Biodun, said the foul odour persisted and called on the government to intensify its intervention.
He said, “I have not seen any government official in the area, and we still perceive some odour. It would be better for the government to do the needful before the situation gets worse.”
However, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said the government had not relented in its efforts to sanitise the environment.
Ajanaku said, “The efforts are ongoing. The fumigation is going on. We began the first phase of the exercise a few days ago, but by Friday this week, it should be completed.”