A Senior Official in the Ministry of Environment has expressed concerns about the rising levels of water pollution in the oilfields.

Victor Wurda says pipelines which were destroyed during the conflict have polluted the underground water.

He says oil companies should look for ways to treat the water to prevent people from getting infected.

“As environmentalist, I was really very sad and very sickly because what you see is not encouraging,” Mr Wurda told Eye Radio’s Dawn show.

He was speaking to Eye Radio this morning on the occasion of the Earth Day.

The day is meant to support environmental campaigns and call for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.