After extensive investigation and interviews with local government officials, environmentalists and residents of affected communities south of Addis, Jalene Gemeda of the Afan Oromo service produced a three-part series exploring charges of serious industrial pollution of three rivers and a major lake by manufacturers, commercial flower farmers and the largest tannery in Ethiopia.
In the series, Jalene interviews local officials who denied the seriousness of the pollution and residents who claim that polluted waters used for farming, clothes washing, drinking and cooking have cause life-threatening health conditions and in some cases, death. Residents of Sebeta have been complaining to local officials about the water quality for a decade. The NGO, APAP Ethiopia, has tested the water in the Akaki and Modjo watersheds and filed a law suit against government officials who were supposed to implement environmental protection measures in that industrial zone.
Part 1 aired April 30, Part 2 aired May 7 and part 3 aired may 14. Tune into the Afan Oromo broadcast on May 21 for the conclusion of this important series on the human risks of industrial pollution.