Takoradi (W/R), Sept. 26, GNA — The Western Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Mr Yaw Sarfo Afriyie, has said the Agency has not released the report of its preliminary investigations into the Butuah Lagoon pollution.

He said the Agency had sent samples of the dead fishes and sediments of the polluted lagoon near New Takoradi to its laboratory in Accra for analysis to ascertain the exact cause of the pollution.

Mr Afriyie said the Agency received the report about the pollution on Wednesday September 21, adding that due to the impact of the pollution on the community, the Agency is collaborating with the Fisheries Commission, Food and Drugs Board, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Health Service and the Regional Coordinating Council to assist in educating the public to avert any catastrophe.

He said the Agency’s field officers are still working in the lagoon estuary taking more samples adding that field officers are also interviewing timber companies operating around the estuary of the lagoon as well as residents to enable them determine the exact cause of the pollution.

He appealed to residents of New Takoradi and its surrounding communities not to fish or drink any water from the lagoon and that the Agency is taking the necessary steps to avert any further pollution.

Some residents in the community told the GNA that they experienced running stomach after preparing soup with some fish from the polluted lagoon and as a result of that some people have been admitted at the hospital