By Tina Amanda
An Environmentalist in the State, Blessing Digbani, has decried the state of polluted drinking water in the Bille kingdom, Degema local government area, as a result of flooding.
Digbani disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent, who said Bille kingdom lack the means of portable water, which made the people resort to drinking from a natural well that is not treated nor safe for consumption.
According to her, the flooding situation in the kingdom caused serious waterborne diseases which resulted to a cholera outbreak in the communities of Bille.
The Environmentalist appealed for shoreline protection in Bille kingdom to mitigate the issue of flooding, since erosion has destroyed the mangrove system that would have protected the land.
She however lamented that Bille as an Oil producing community deserves provision of all the social amenities while calling on government at all levels, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and International Oil Companies IOC’s operating in Bille kingdom to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of Bille people.
“Now we understand the importance of mangrove forests in this area, the mangrove is dead and the entire region is vulnerable to flood situation.
“This period because of the flooding situation we encountered a cholera outbreak, If there is an inflow of water especially when the water is polluted into a source of drinking water. Once the water is polluted as a result of the flood you are expected to have waterborne disease.
“like what we have in Bille kingdom the natural well which is not treated to a safe and clean water, but people have been managing it, so Imagine when the water becomes polluted with water from the river. Bille is in need of portable water.
“That is why we are calling on the government to help us with shoreline protection and also save the health of Bille people by providing portable drinking water.
“Bille is an oil-producing community and we have international oil companies IOC’s operating in our territory, we are calling on them to take it up as their corporate social responsibility.
“Bille kingdom is also part of the Niger Delta community and we understand the mission of NDDC is community development, so Bille is among the list of communities NDDC should look into and develop”.
