The Gbagyi Development Union (GDU Wednesday raised concerns over an alleged gas leak at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Corporation (KRPC) in Kafam village, Rido in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state.
The incident, which was said to have occurred on August 28, 2024, involved the accidental release of hydrogen fluoride gas, a highly toxic and corrosive substance.
A statement issued by Dr. Ishaya Tanko Damina, the GDU president, said the union reported that the gas leak had devastated farmlands and caused health complications among residents, some of whom experienced convulsions, vomiting, and fainting.
Damina said nine individuals were hospitalised at Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, following an intervention by Kaduna state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Buba.
The GDU criticised KRPC’s response to the crisis, accusing the refinery’s management of negligence and failing to take swift action.
Damina said, “Despite the involvement of federal agencies such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), KRPC has yet to implement remediation measures, adding it would only act after conducting tests.”
Dr. Damina pointed out that this was not the first time such incident had occurred, adding that previous gas leaks and oil spills linked to KRPC had resulted in environmental degradation without adequate response from the refinery’s management.
The union demanded immediate evacuation of affected residents, cleanup of contaminated areas, and provision of medical care to those exposed to the gas. It also called for long-term environmental monitoring and compensation for the affected communities.
Several attempts by Blueprints to reach a staff of KRPC, Mr Okene Aliyu via a telephone call to confirm the development was unsuccessful.