Deal with pollution

TOLUKUMA Mines should not dispute the findings of Dr Sylvester Kotapu but decide on what to do to overcome the problem as it was made known to the company six years ago by some concerned individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Previously, Australian Dr Allan Tingay conducted some tests over a period of time and found very high levels of poisonous metals in the Auga and Angabanga river system and the wells that were erected by the company for some of the Mekeo villages.
He even took samples of the people’s hair and found high levels of arsenic.
The people who live along the river are well aware of the contamination thanks to the NGOs which have been conducting awareness programmes and workshops on the contamination.
Unfortunately, they can do little as they depend on the rivers for their livelihood as well as to wash.
The problems are real and the people are affected in a big way.
The owners of the mine should not deny this fact but work together with the authorities on how best to address the problem.
It is also time that the Government wake up to its diabolical decision on the waste disposals into the river system.

Baselle Selibu
Via email

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