Communities in the
Odual and Emago Kubo axis of Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State are on the brink of extinction following the invasion of the area by water hyacinth.
The Tide learnt that, the entire stretch of the Odual water ways running from Abua to Okolomade has been covered by the dreaded water weeds.
Sources within the area also informed The Tide that, the inhabitants of the area who are mostly farmers and fishermen can no longer access their farms and fishing sites.
According to the source, apart from making communication difficult, the situation has increased the presence of reptiles in the areaw, thereby making it difficult for people to go out for fishing or farming.
It will be recalled that water hyacinth was first reported in the old Rivers State in 1995.
However, since water hyacinth thrives in fresh water, the creation of Bayelsa State out of the present Rivers State has reduced the influence of water hyacinth in the state.
Presently, the weeds are confined to the Odual and Emago Kubo axis of the state since it is the only zone in Rivers State that lies within the fresh water zone.
The Tide also learnt that the river, which acts as a source of drinking water for inhabitants of the areas, is also heavily polluted with dangerous organisms from the weeds.
Moreover, the increased presence of reptiles on the river, The Tide learnt, is also scaring the people from fetching water from the river for domestic use.
Some inhabitants of the communities told The Tide in an interview that life is becoming difficult for them as both their sources of drinking water and livelihood have been threatened.
They noted that since last year when the incident occurred in the area, all efforts to get the attention of both the government and the multinational oil companies operating in the area have proved abortive.
They particularly said that several complaints have been lodged with the Abua/Odual Local Government Council to draw its attention to the plight of the people, but the council is yet to take any action.
Speaking to The Tide at Emelogo, the traditional headquarters of Odual Kingdom, Chief Wariboiko Victor, a community leader, told The Tide that, before now a journey from Okolomade to Emelogo by boat usually took five minutes, but now, it takes two hours.
Chief Victor said that apart from making communication difficult the source of livelihood of the people is also under threat.
According to him, snakes, and other reptiles now parade the river scaring people from getting nearer to fetch drinking water, while even farmers are afraid to go to the farms.
“It has blocked the river making communication difficult, with it come all sort of reptiles” he said.
The community leader lamented that, if no urgent attention is paid to the problems, Odual communities will soon become extinct.
“As I’m talking to you now, no fishing is going on here. Even farmers are afraid to go to farm because of the large presence of reptiles”, he said.
He said that the people are now taking their destinies in their hands through communal efforts which, according to him, involves using youths of the various communities to clear the area of the weeds.
Also speaking to The Tide in the area, the President, Women’s Wing of Odual Peoples Assembly, Mrs Jessey Edeh, described the situation as unacceptable and stressed the need for the authorities to come to the aide of the communities.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, says it is still sourcing for funds to tackle the problem of water hyacinth in the Odual river of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
The Director, Flood and Erosion Control, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Sir Lawrence Igwe, said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in his office while reacting to the problem.
He said that since last year when the ministry got the report, efforts to secure the necessary funding to tackle it has proved abortive.
Sir Igwe said that both the state government and the various corporate organisations operating in the state had been written to on the issue, but none was willing to help.
The Director also criticised the move by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to undertake the clearing alone, describing it as duplication of functions.
He described water hyacinth as dangerous weeds to the environment, adding that apart from navigation difficulties, reptiles and other rodents will always have a field day in water hyacinth-prone environment.
An official of Abua/Odual Local Government Council told The Tide at Abua Central that the council was aware of the problem and was taking steps to solve it.
The official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, however, gave no detail of steps taken so far by the council to clear the area of the weeds.
Similarly, at the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, The Tide learnt of contracts being awarded to youth groups to clear rivers of water hyacinth in parts of Niger Delta, but there is no independent confirmation of this claim.
The Tide will, however, continue in its effort to verify the authenticity of this claim.
Heap of refused blocking a drainage