Toxic chemical discharge sparks protest at Kaduna Refinery
On Friday, a dramatic protest erupted at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) when hundreds of residents from the Kapam community in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, blockaded the refinery’s entrance. The demonstration was sparked by a recent toxic chemical discharge from the facility that has reportedly wreaked havoc on the local environment and community.
The protesters, predominantly women, began their march at dawn, armed with placards and displaying evidence of the destruction caused by the chemical spill. They presented withered crop leaves and dead animals, asserting that the toxic discharge had devastated their farms, led to significant livestock losses, and posed severe health risks. The signs carried by the protesters included statements such as: “KRPC has completely destroyed our crops,” “KRPC has poisoned us with toxic chemicals,” “Kapam Community in danger: KRPC’s actions are devastating us,” and “KRPC has ruined our lives. We will not tolerate this!”
One poignant voice among the crowd was that of Rose, a local mother, who spoke through tears about the dire consequences of the chemical spill. “Our children are suffering because of KRPC’s negligence. They inhaled the toxic fumes and are now hospitalized, fighting for their lives. We cannot bear to lose them,” she lamented. Rose, like many others, called for justice and demanded compensation for the suffering endured by her community. “The refinery must take full responsibility and ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” she asserted.
Another distressed protester appealed to the management of Kaduna Refinery to address their plight. “We are concerned about our health, yet we lack adequate medical care. Our food is contaminated, and survival has become a struggle. We urgently need the management of Kaduna Refinery to intervene and support. We cannot handle this crisis on our own.”
Community leaders estimate that the damage from the chemical spill, which occurred earlier in the week, has resulted in financial losses amounting to millions of naira. They accuse the refinery of longstanding neglect, citing a deficiency in essential services such as educational facilities, healthcare centers, and electricity.
Jatau, a community leader, voiced the growing frustration among residents. “Years of neglect have led us to this breaking point. This latest incident has underscored our urgent need for comprehensive compensation and immediate measures to address the environmental and health consequences of the refinery’s operations,” he stated.
As of now, the management of Kaduna Refinery has not responded publicly to the protesters’ demands. The management has yet to issue a statement or address media inquiries regarding the ongoing crisis and the community’s grievances.
Credit: The Punch
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