The Ondo State Government has ordered the fumigation of the Igbokoda River after residents complained of a strong, foul smell from the waterway where a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed on 5 October.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed the Ministries of Environment and Health to begin extensive fumigation of the river to prevent a possible outbreak of disease in the coastal community.
He also ordered the distribution of face masks and other health kits to residents.
The commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, announced the directive
The government said the step was necessary because the river is a major source of livelihood for Igbokoda and neighbouring communities in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The governor also asked Ilaje local authorities to arrange water tankers to supply potable water if the river is found to be severely polluted and unfit for use.
The NAF ATR-42, registration NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos.
The Air Force confirmed the ccrash,and President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered an investigation.
Recovery has been slow. The swampy terrain has hampered efforts, and the state government deployed amphibious swamp machines to help the Navy, the Air Force, emergency agencies and local divers reach the site. With operations in their ninth day, residents have reported an increasingly foul smell, raising fears about decomposing human remains and spilt aviation fuel in the water.
The Igbokoda monarch, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, has urged the federal and state governments to speed up recovery and address suspected contamination.
The state government said it would keep supporting the Nigerian Air Force’s recovery operations at the site.
Administrator and Writer
