Fourteen persons are reported dead from water borne disease in Okoroutip community, an oil producing community in Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State. The death occurred between December last year to the present time.
Indigenes
of the community disclosed that apart from lack of source of potable
water, they also suffer ravaging flood as a result of activities of
oil companies operating in the area.
Youth
president of the community, Henry Nkan said the community depend on
existing ponds and water that flows from creeks for their source of
drinking water, which has caused the lives of many
"As
a riverine area where there is no bush to dispose waste, the
community dispose faeces and other organic substances in the water
and still drink from it.
"From
December last year (2018) till date, we have buried about 14 people
that died from water borne diseases and we are afraid that more lives
would be lost as nothing is being done to rescue us from the
situation"
He
said that the even only borehole in the community which was drilled
by ExxonMobil many years ago is no longer functioning.
The
supervisor for Education in Ibeno local government and indigene of
the community Isaac Williams also said the people abandoned the
borehole drilled by ExxonMobil when it was discovered that the water
contained some dirty particles suspected to be crude oil which was
not good for domestic use and for drinking.
"The
problem of water in Okoroutip is a consequence of the terrain of the
area and as a result of heavy presence of oil. We are still pleading
with multi national oil companies to come to our rescue by giving us
good source of water. We believe that some day succour
would come our way.
"The
borehole is a tale of neglect and outright abandonment. It has been
overgrown by weeds. Women now hang their washed clothes on the rusted
water tank stand.
Also the only Health Centre in the area constructed by the former council chairman Mrs Regina Egbe is not equipped, no personnel to attend to patients.
Also the only Health Centre in the area constructed by the former council chairman Mrs Regina Egbe is not equipped, no personnel to attend to patients.
"Health
workers only come here to give immunization vaccines to our children
and go back. There is no health personnel to attend to patients
during emergencies. Lack of medical facility contributes to
adult and infant mortality in this community."
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