Residents Of Otumi Asikam Appeal To Government To Help Save Taaben River

Farmers and residents of Otumi-Asikam in the Kwaebibirm District of the Eastern Region, have sent an SOS message to the Ministry of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation as well as the Water Resources Commission to save the Taaben river which is being polluted by Akpeteshie distillers. 

According to the residents, apart from pollution of the river, activities of the Akpeteshie distillers are also destroying their oil palm farms and other farm produce in the area. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana after a visit to the farm in the company of the chief and some elders, Spokesman for the farmers, Opanyin Kwaku Osei said, Taaben River which serves as a source of drinking water for many runs through Nkwantanan, Okyenso and Abaam into river Brim. 

He explained that, the discharge of Akpeteshie by-products into the river constantly is not only affecting its source, but also causing extensive damage to their farms and crops. 

Barima Odame Ampem Darko and his elders were conducted round oil palm farms where he witnessed the flow of fumes discharged by the by-product into the river. 

GBC