HIBAPRESS – A. Mahyaoui
The region of Sidi Ali Bourqba, affiliated with the Tizi Ousli prefecture in the province of Taza, is experiencing environmental concerns following the circulation of local data talking about the discharge of quantities of olive pomace, resulting from olive oil mills, into a number of wadis, coinciding with the rainfall that the region witnessed on the evening of Friday, October 2nd.
According to local testimonies, the discharge operation is suspected to have occurred during the evening, raising fears of the substance reaching agricultural lands and watercourses, and the potential damage that could result to the soil, vegetation cover, and the environmental area of the region.
The residents are calling for the intervention of the competent authorities and the opening of a field investigation to ascertain the truth of this data, determine the source and extent of the leakage, and assign responsibilities if any violation of applicable environmental regulations is proven.
Local activists are also calling for the activation of a specialized provincial committee to assess the situation, especially with the fear of pollutants transferring through wadis and watercourses, and the potential impacts on agricultural lands and water.
The ball remains in the court of the competent authorities to verify the facts on the ground and take the necessary legal and environmental measures, to protect the residents and natural resources, and to ensure that the management of olive mill waste does not become a source of threat to the environment and public health.
