Protesters picket Kaduna refinery over ‘toxic chemical discharge’ to communities

Protesters from the Kapam community in Chikun local government area (LGA) of Kaduna state blocked the entrance to the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) on Friday.

The protesters, mostly women, blocked the entrance to demand compensation for “damages caused by toxic chemicals discharged” by the refiner and request government intervention.

The community alleged that a chemical discharged from the refinery on Tuesday caused the death of their animals and destroyed their farm crops worth millions of naira.

The protesters said the chemical also poses a serious threat to their health.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read “KRPC has destroyed our farms, crops completely,” as well as “KRPC has poisoned us with toxic chemicals”.

The protesters also stated on some placards that “Kapam community in danger: KRPC’s actions are devastating us,” and “KRPC has ruined our lives. We will not tolerate this!”.

Speaking to journalists, a woman who identified herself as Elitaya Udah, said their crops are dying and their children are being sent to hospitals.

Showing evidence of a dead plant, Udah said, “Look at what is happening to our crops. They rushed our children to the hospital yesterday and even today, some of our women are down because of the chemical”.

“Our animals are dying. We are inhaling what is not good and they refused to come out to talk to us. We are angry and we won’t let anyone enter the refinery,” Udah said,

Another protester, simply identified as Rose, said the situation is frustrating.

“Our children are suffering because of the negligence of KRPC. They inhaled the toxic chemical and now they are lying in the hospital, fighting for their lives. We can’t afford to lose them,” she said.

“We demand justice and compensation for our suffering. The refinery must take responsibility for their actions and ensure that this never happens again.”

Another woman who did not identify herself lamented over the lack of essential services, including schools, hospitals, electricity, and basic healthcare facilities. 

“We have no road, we have no light, no water. They haven’t given the community anything and they are killing us.,” she said.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna refinery to comment on the allegation of releasing toxic chemicals proved abortive, as Gift Jimirieyigbe, a staff in the company’s health, safety and environment (HSE) department, said he is not on duty and can not give any information until next week when he resumes work.