Kaduna Refinery Pollution: CSOs Demand Action for Kapam Community

BY SHEKWOPEYELO

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for urgent action to address pollution in the Kapam community, located in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, due to alleged toxic chemical releases by Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC). This company is currently undergoing turnaround maintenance.

The Environmental Rights Action (ERA) source, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) source, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation (CAPPA) source have jointly demanded a thorough cleanup and detoxification of the affected areas. They criticized KRPC for failing to inform the Kapam community about the dangers of the chemical discharges, which have reportedly contaminated air and water, destroying crops and livestock.

In response, the Kapam community, led by local women, held a peaceful protest at KRPC’s facility on August 30, 2024, seeking dialogue and remediation. The CSOs highlighted the broader issue of refineries negatively impacting host communities through routine gas flaring and pollutant emissions. These practices have been linked to severe health issues and environmental degradation, as seen in other regions like Ubeji in Delta State source.

Mariann Bassey Oruvwuje from ERA emphasized the difficulty of compensating for losses beyond financial reparations, including health impacts and environmental damage. The Kaduna refinery, established in 1980 and expanded in 1983, needs a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to ensure safety and environmental responsibility source.

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, criticized Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels despite global shifts towards renewable energy. Stephen Oduware from HOMEF and Rita Uwaka from ERA urged immediate cessation of toxic discharges, comprehensive audits, and effective compensation measures.