The Olugbo of Ugboland Oba Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal to urgently intervene in the environmental crisis caused by the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane crash in the community.
The monarch raised the alarm over what he described as severe environmental degradation warning that the aftermath of the crash was threatening public health water sources and the livelihoods of residents in the riverine communities.
This was contained in a statement signed by Otunba Sesan Forolagba the monarch’s media aide.
Oba Akinruntan appealed during a visit to the crash site at the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ilaje Local Government Area where he was accompanied by prominent traditional rulers including Oba Monehin the Amapetu of Obinehin and members of the Olugbo-in-Council.
The royal delegation visited the location to express solidarity with the military over the tragic loss of Nigerian Air Force personnel and assess the ongoing recovery operations.
However the monarch said the incident had also triggered an ecological crisis with local water bodies reportedly contaminated fishing activities disrupted and air pollution worsening in the affected communities.
Expressing concern over the situation Oba Akinruntan appealed to the Federal Government to urgently commence environmental clean-up operations to prevent further damage and protect residents.
‘We are making this passionate appeal on behalf of the good people of Ugboland to our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister for Environment that we urgently need the Federal Government’s immediate attention and assistance to clean up our environment. The water we drink and use for fishing has been tainted and the air pollution is worsening by the day. We need your rescue now.’
During a briefing at the naval base a senior Nigerian Air Force official explained the recovery process to the royal delegation including the careful sorting of aircraft debris.
The official also highlighted the deployment of state-owned swamp buggies and specialised construction equipment to facilitate recovery operations following the October 5 incident.
While commending the armed forces for their courage and sacrifice the Olugbo said the tragedy should be seen as a collective loss requiring the support and solidarity of all Nigerians.
He said: ‘When tragedy strikes them it strikes us all.’
The monarch stressed that immediate Federal Government intervention through environmental remediation was necessary to address the reported contamination safeguard public health and restore the livelihoods of residents of the affected coastal communities.