Governor Wike reacts as mysterious black dust stirs panic in Port Harcourt

The Rivers state government has set up a Task Force to tackle the black soot polluting the atmosphere of Port Harcourt and its environs.

The Task Force is mandated to investigate and resolve the environmental challenge.

This was part of the resolutions of the State Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, February 8 at the government House, Port Harcourt Executive Council Chambers chaired by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

READ ALSO: 'Save our children, we can't breathe!' - Nigerians react as air and sky in Port Harcourt turns black

The Task Force to investigate the Black Soot has the Commissioner of Environment, Professor Roseline Konya, Commissioner of Special Duties, Emeka Onowu and the Commissioner of Information, Dr Austin Tam-George as members.

The committee which will be backed by technical experts will liaise with major stakeholders to resolve the environmental challenges posed by the black soot.

Briefing the media after the Executive Council meeting, Commissioner of Information, Dr Austin Tam-George stated that the resolution was reached after the Commissioner of Environment, Professor Roseline Konya on the preliminary results of its Ministerial Investigation.

Also on Wednesday, the Rivers state Executive Council approved the purchase of hi-tech equipment for the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital at the cost of $10.5million.

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The Rivers state Executive Council also resolved to ensure that all the General Hospitals being rehabilitated are duly equipped to create access to quality healthcare for the people.

For over two months, Port Harcourt has been engulfed with black soot polluting the air and putting the residents’ health in danger.

Black soot includes black particles composed by carbon produced by incomplete combustion of coals. Soot can consist of acid, chemicals, or soil and dust and the particles are extremely tiny powder form.