Since the appearance of soot in Rivers State some years due to what some persons have said is predicated on activities of illegal refiners, strong concerns have continued to rise as individual and civil society groups across the state continue to speak on the danger especially why the state governor Nyesom Wike have refused to appoint commissioner for environment.
The group blamed the absent of a substantive office especially a commissioner of environment to help combat the challenge which the said is fast revenging the health of people across the state.
The governor no doubt have been bombarded severally with criticism and abuses from some opposition parties and those that are not in support of his programmes and administration.
The latest is coming from some social commentator like Celestine Akpobari and Dum Namene Dekor, and other who are accusing the state governor of doing very little in addressing the issue of soot in the state.
Penultimate week, the Amayanbo of Opopo Kingdom, King Dandison Jaja, spoke on behalf of Traditional rulers in the state, condemning the rising cases of soot in the state ,while calling on the federal government to as a matter of urgency grant licence to those that want to operate modular refinery in the country.
The traditional rulers who are canvassing for licence for artisinal refinery said licence to this group will address the problem of soot in the country.
Just yesterday, the Towncrier, have learnt that Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, had given a matching order for chairman of Port Harcourt, Hon. Ihundah to go against any community where illegal refinery or bunkering activities is going on.