Water remains one of the most essential natural and social amenities that has remained completely indispensable since the creation of mankind.
Apart from its uses on the domestic scale, it is an important ingredient for industrial production.
It was not surprising therefore when the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, recently led leaders of thought and other Obubra critical stakeholders to the communities affected by water pollution, notably Oyadama.
In an interaction with the community, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba informed the people that he was greatly disturbed when the news of the pollution filtered to him in Abuja and as a responsible representative of the people, he decided to act immediately to find lasting solutions to the problem.
The House of Representatives member and the leader of Cross River State CAUCUS, commended the people for not taking the laws into their hands by reacting violently in the aftermath of the pollution but decided rather, to report the issue to the authorities.
He noted that whatever affects water affects the entire livelihood of the communities,adding that the mining activities that have brought so much pollution to the communities were not even carried out in Obubra Local Government Area, but in the neighbouring Yakurr Local Government Area.
The House Committee Chairman reiterated that even though mining is not in the purview of the State government, His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has done much to curtail water pollution crises in the State.
He affirmed his preparedness and need to continue to identify with the people in times of crisis, adding that as Chairman House Committee on Environment and son of the soil, he could not just sit down in Abuja but had to travel home to assess the situation himself.
Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba noted that it was also imperative that he visits the water source that have brought so much social calamity to the good people of Onyadama and its environs as a result of the pollution. He promised to engage with the leadership of the mining companies to ensure that permanent solutions are arrived at.
In order to cushion the devastating effect of the water pollution and to assist the communities in finding their feet again, the House of Representatives Member presented foodstuff and cash donations to the communities.
In his contribution at the event, the natural leader and highly acclaimed father of Obubra politics, Chief Alex Irek, thanked the leadership of the House of Representatives for its prompt reaction immediately the water pollution issue was reported to the House.
He pointed out that the solution would not have been so quickly found but for the effective and untiring efforts of their representative, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba.
Hon. Irek noted that the communities have suffered so much as a result of the water pollution notably through the very harmful chemicals emanating from the mining activities all the way from Agoi in Yakurr Local Government Area. He went further to commend the House of Representatives for putting the critical role of the Chairmanship of the Environment under their son, noting that this has enabled the community to benefit maximally from such environmental issues as water pollution.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Obubra Local Government Council, Hon. Kingsley Arikpo, commended the State and federal governments for the various intervention measures so far taken to resolve the water situation debacle in the Local Government Area, and called for more concerted efforts on the part of the mining companies.
He contended that but for the maturity of his constituents, hostilities would have broken out between the affected communities and Agoi, which would have led to unnecessary loss of lives and destruction of property.
The Council helmsman highly commended the Chairman House Committee on Environment, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba for his continued readiness to respond promptly to communal interest, adding that the confidence reposed in him by the generality of his constituents was not misplaced.
Reacting to the issues, the Clan Head of Onyadama Community, His Royal Highness, Ovarr Vincent Erena, informed Rt Hon. Etaba of the efforts already made by the community to resolve the crisis but which had yielded nothing so far before his arrival. He said that the traditional authority under his leadership had made a fact finding visit to Agoi, adding that with the current flow of events, very workable solutions will be arrived at, for the sake and survival of his people.
He expressed the hope that the current effort being spearheaded by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, would yield the desired results. He equally expressed sympathy with the people farming by the affected River banks, noting that the life of every member of his community is important to him.
The clan head drew attention to the two uncompleted borehole projects in the affected community sited by the mining companies,which up till now, were a source of serious concern to the people.
He thereafter called for immediate solutions to the water pollution as the negative impact on Onyadama and 15 other communities cannot be allowed to persist. His Royal Highness Ovarr Vincent Erena on behalf of his people, thanked the House of Representatives Member for visiting with a view to finding solutions.
With the current efforts aimed at resolving the water pollution crises in Onyadama and 15 other communities, it is hoped that lasting solutions will be arrived at and life and communal existence will soon return to the affected areas.
