The Abia State government has set up an emergency response team to provide potable water to residents of Ohanso community in Ukwa East Local Council, following reports of contamination suspected to be linked to crude oil.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this to journalists after the weekly State Executive Council meeting. He explained that the team is headed by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof Joel Ogbonna.

Kanu said: “Due to the health risks posed by hydrocarbons when ingested by humans, the state ministry of health will investigate the extent of danger to the health of the community members and how they might have been adversely affected by the hydrocarbons they have been ingesting through their drinking water.”

He noted that the state government’s swift intervention reflects its commitment to providing quick solutions to communities in distress. Ogbonna confirmed that the intervention followed a report that a borehole dug in the area yielded water contaminated with a substance suspected to be crude oil. “Further investigation revealed that the water currently consumed by residents was contaminated, prompting the state government to initiate a committee for a detailed inquiry and provision of potable water for the affected people,” he said.