PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News across the Niger Delta
Related Articles
By Paul Williams
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC‑Nigeria) has urged authorities to suspend a planned destruction of expired explosive materials in Kporghor Community, Tai Local Government Area, pending an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and safety guarantees.
YEAC-Nigeria’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, warned that the demolition exercise, scheduled for July 8–10, 2026, could unleash hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere, worsen soot pollution and pose serious health risks for residents.
He was responding to a Rivers State Police Command notice, signed by ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, which advised communities in Kporghor to expect the destruction of the explosive materials, by Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited, between Wednesday and Friday this week.
Dr. Fyneface expressed concern over both the toxic emissions from incomplete combustion and the deafening effects of the explosions.
He said, “The exercise should be suspended until an EIA has been conducted and approved.
“We further call for public safety assurances, and the participation and involvement of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA),” he said.
Dr. Fyneface said, “NESREA’s responsibility includes ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians.
“The agency should be present to determine the impact of the exercise on the environment and to ensure that combustion is complete for a cleaner and healthier environment, and that there is compliance with EIA guidelines during the destruction exercise.”
He further said, “it is important for officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health to be present at the exercise to monitor the impact and implications on the immediate environment and the health of the people, if these measures are not already in place before the planned exercise.”
