Osun State Govt Warns Against Drinking Water From Osun River
As today marks the grand finale of the annual Osun festival, the Osun State Government is warning tourists, devotees, and visitors not to drink water from the Osun River due to contamination.
In an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo, the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, gave this warning.
In December, a civic group called Urban Alert raised the alarm that the river has been heavily contaminated with mercury, lead, cyanide, and other injurious elements that are poisonous to human health.
Laboratory Tests and Geographical Information Analysis had established the presence of heavy elements in the river and blamed it on the activities of miners.
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On Thursday, after confirming the presence of deadly elements in the Osun River, the State government said it embarked on sensitisation to discourage people from drinking the water during the festival as it had been contaminated by the activities of artisanal miners and dangerous for human consumption.
“There are radio jingles on the health hazard of drinking water from the Osun River due to contamination.”
He noted that the government could not stop the activities of the Osun festival as it is “a cultural thing and no matter how hard you try, some people will not oblige,” while assuring that the government will continue to sensitise the devotees.
“There may not be a quick fix to this pollution, but as a government, we will continue to do the needful.”
The commissioner disclosed that public health officials would be at the grove during the festival to further sensitise people on the dangers of drinking the water, “Government has taken cognizance of this pollution and is working really hard to prevent the activities of artisanal miners. It is a menace; it is very difficult, but we cannot fold our arms.’’
