As the illegal bunkering activities continues to disrupt aquatic life, fishermen in Okrika Local Government Area have said that the hospitals and clinics also contribute to the hazards in the water.

On Monday, August 28, 2023, a popular fisherman, Henry Black told Kristina Reports that aside the despicable rate of oil spillage that has been destroying the sea life, the medical facilities also contribute by improper disposing of hospital waste.

Henry, who hails from Ngemebiri Community in Okrika LGA of Rivers State, disclosed his ordeals during fishing to Kristina Reports, explaining that he does not use his canoe but only sets fishing traps to catch fish and earn a living.

“Asides the oil wey dey water, these hospital people sef dem no dey try, all the things wey dem dey use for hospital, the needle them, the syringe them, all of them inside water.”

“Some of the injection and syringe them, you go see blood for inside them, nai make I dey wear socks because if that thing shook me, asides tetanus, HIV dey everywhere. Nai be another thing wey dey worry us for river.”

Reacting, a fishmonger, Iyaye Tamunokuro disclosed to Kristina Reports that prior to this time, all the waste from the hospitals were burnt and buried, pointing that lately, everywhere is now littered with these wastes.

“When we small, them dey burn these needles them with fire come even Bury am but now, dem go just pack all these things throw way inside river. E no good.”

Henry also asserted that the people responsible for this attitude are not only hospitals and clinics but midwives and and quacks medical workers who practice it in their homes. “All these people dem wey dem help women born for house nai sabi do these things. No b only hospital”

Henry however pleaded that the relevant authorities should be brought to the know so that the menace could be curbed.

As at the time of this report, efforts to get reaction from the health authorities in Okrika LGA was yet unsuccessful.