• Kaduna Refinery
• Pollution
• Women Protest

TOXIC FALLOUT: KADUNA WOMEN PROTEST, DEMAND JUSTICE OF CHEMICAL POLLUTION FROM REFINERY

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  CapitalTimesNews / 4 weeks
• 0
• 2 min read

Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company has come under fire from women in Nissi, Kapam, and Rido communities who claim the facility’s chemical emissions have wreaked havoc on their health, farmland, and livelihoods. The women staged a protest at the refinery, alleging that a toxic chemical released in August has left them struggling to survive. According to the women, the alleged chemical pollution has made farming impossible, leading to food shortages and widespread hunger. Many residents claim to be suffering from health issues, and some have even reported miscarriages. The women are demanding that the refinery takes responsibility for the harm caused and provides compensation to affected families. One of the protesters, Mrs. Kelita Yaguda, said she and others were taken to the hospital after the incident but were only given painkillers and medication for ulcers. “They promised to treat us for a week, but only attended to a few people for two days,” she said. “No medical tests were done, and we’re still struggling with health issues.” The women are also criticizing the refinery’s alleged lack of engagement with the community. “We’ve been coming here since morning, but no one is willing to listen to us,” said Mrs. Juliana Abrak, a leader of the Nissi community. “We’re suffering, and we need help.” The protesters are calling on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd to intervene and hold the refinery accountable for the alleged harm caused. As the situation stands, the refinery has yet to respond to the protesters’ demands.