The fear of possible outbreak of epidemic has gripped residents of the nine communities of Omoku town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State due to the flood situation in the area.

The Chairman of Omoku Environmental Committee, Rev Mike Eluozo who raised the alarm Friday in Port Harcourt said the flood water in the oil-rich area has been polluted with oil and human wastes.

He further stated that apart from the highly polluted water, there was high rate of mosquitoes and reptiles around the emergency camps inhabited by victims of the flood.

The environmental committee chairman appealed to the government, oil companies and public-spirited organisations to consider fumigation of the area to check the upsurge of reptiles and mosquitoes in the interest of the people.  

He regretted that the flood in the largest oil producing area of the country has become the biggest threat to the people as farm lands, houses, fish ponds and other means of survival were affected.

Rev Eluozo who noted that about 90 per cent of Omoku was affected by the flood appealed to government to hasten the dredging of Omoku Creek and Orashi River with good embankment as a way out.

He further suggested the sandfilling of land space between the two rivers regarded as Greater Omoku, so that people can settle there.

He challenged Agip Oil Company and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as interventionary agencies to show serious concern in the development of the oil-rich area.

On the effort of the government, he said though the relief materials have assisted but expressed worry that the items were not enough to take care of the victims and urged other Non-Governmental Organisations, philanthropic organisations and individuals to come to the people’s rescue.

Chris Oluoh