Dr. Obi Anyadiegwu, a health and environmental consultant, has linked the increasing rates of cancer, liver diseases, and deformities in babies to harmful emissions from factories in major cities. He explained that these emissions contaminate waterways, polluting drinking and cooking water.
The consultant emphasized the need for better industrial management to reduce emissions and prevent associated health risks in Nigeria.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that the Federal Government has revealed that 41% of public drinking water sources are contaminated, with contamination reaching 68% at the source and 70% at the point of consumption.
Dr. Anyadiegwu, a chartered environmental specialist and medical doctor, made these comments in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, while speaking to journalists during the GEF-UNIDO project workshop for the Bank of Industry and other stakeholders.
The GEF-UNIDO Project is a collaboration between the Global Environmental Facility and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, designed to help countries reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and eliminate chemical waste.
During the workshop, Anyadiegwu shared his concerns about the growing prevalence of life-threatening diseases, such as kidney and liver diseases, as well as birth deformities, linked to emissions from factories in major Nigerian cities like Port Harcourt, Kano, Aba, and Onitsha.
He further explained that the workshop’s goal was to promote resource efficiency and cleaner production, helping Nigerian industries reduce harmful emissions while improving productivity.
“We are witnessing floods, desertification, and a rise in diseases like cancer and endocrine disorders,” he said. “Textile factories use large amounts of pesticides, while industrial activities in places like Aba and Port Harcourt release harmful substances into the air, contributing to acid rain. These dangerous emissions ultimately reach our waterways, contaminating the water we use for drinking and cooking.”
These emissions, Anyadiegwu noted, have been linked to various health issues, including kidney and liver diseases, infertility, and deformities in newborns. He stressed the importance of industrial activities being better managed to reduce emissions and improve public health.
While acknowledging the federal government’s efforts to protect the environment, Anyadiegwu called for more work to be done. He also highlighted the role of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in supporting Nigeria’s environmental initiatives. He urged industries to take advantage of the assistance provided by UNIDO to fund projects that could significantly improve environmental conditions.
