RSG Averts Cholera Epidemic In Bille …Approves Potable Water Scheme

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari (right) discussing with the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, during her inspection visit to the corporation, on Friday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The Rivers State Government has averted a cholera outbreak in Bille Community in the Degema local government area.

Similarly, the government also approved the construction of a potable water scheme for the community.

The approval which was given by the governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was in response to the recent outbreak of cholera in the community.

This was contained in a statement made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.

The statement said that the programme manager of the rural water and sanitation agency of the state ministry of water resources and rural development, Mr F. O. Odungweru who received news of the outbreak had quickly alerted the commissioner of the ministry, Hon. Patricia Simon Hart and UNICEF’s area officer for emergency relief materials for the community.

It said that emergency relief materials which include, 23,400 sachets of water purifying chemicals, 100 pieces plastic buckets, 100 jerry cans and filtration cloths were immediately dispatched to the community by RUWATSA.

The statement also said that a sensitization programme in how to purify available water was conducted by both the staff of the ministry of water resources and RUWATSA.

While commending the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his prompt action and immediate response to the plight of the people of Bille community, it said that contractors have been mobilized to site to commence work on the water scheme.

The statement which described cholera as one of the most deadliest diseases in the world said that Bille community had over the years witnessed several outbreaks of Choleras owing to several abandoned water schemes initiated by previous administrations in the state.