3 hours ago
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ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organization focused on poverty alleviation and human rights, has expressed concerns over the plight of the people of Okoritak community in Ibeno Local Government Area (LGA).
The organisation noted that it was shocking to discover that residents of the oil-rich community resorted to drink from gutter due to severe water scarcity.
Speaking with newsmen in Ibeno on Wednesday, the Ambassador to Actionaid Nigeria, Mr. Mark Angel, lamented that the despicable condition of the people is worrisome.
According to him, the alarming situation of relying on gutter water poses significant health risks, including the spread of waterborne diseases.
Angel regretted that the community’s water infrastructure constructed over 18 years ago by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has collapsed, leaving residents with no alternative but to rely on contaminated gutter water for their daily needs.
“First we heard that this people (Okoritak community) drank from an abandoned oil well and then we came to see and it is true.
“In fact when they said abandoned oil well, we thought maybe it was a hole they pour water but it is a gutter they are drinking water from.
“I found out that NDDC provided water source in 2005 but the the water source has become toxic and they cannot use the water. In fact the gutter water is even better than the water source,” he said.
He urged the state and local governments to take immediate action to address the crisis by providing an emergency water supply interventions and invest in sustainable water infrastructure in the community.
“At this point, it is morally right for the state and the local governments to step in because these are human beings and water is life.
“This community is too big to have only one source of water, so I will equally call on our community (Actionaid Nigeria) and other well-meaning Nigerians to step in to help the community.”
Speaking with blueprint, the village secretary, Mr Effiong Mkpa, commended ActionAid for their concerns, emphasising the urgent need for government intervention.
“We’ve lived without clean water for years. Our children are constantly falling ill. We need help.
“We use the water from the gutter to cook, bathe and even drink, unfortunately the water has caused death to many people.
“We do not have a choice but to use it because nobody can stay without drinking or using water and it is the only source of water we have,” he added.
A Member of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ibeno Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Effiong said, “We have written petitions to the federal government about Network Exploration’s activities, but received no response.
“When the oil company came here, they promised to develop this area and MOU was signed but till today nothing has been done.
“The water from this gutter is our only source but this water has led to so many sicknesses like cholera.
“We need help from the members of the public since government can not help us despite the oil exploration going on in our land,” Effiong noted.
