Quarantine Ward, EQW, at Oduoha -Emohua community in Emohua Local
Government Area of the state ignited tension between government and
the villagers, last week.
The people feared that siting an Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, centre in
the community could lead to the spread of the virus to the area and
quickly sealed the proposed site withomu nkwu(tender palm frond).
Investigation byNiger Delta Voiceshowed that it was a running battle
between the community and the Commissioner of Health, Rivers state,
Dr. Sampson Parker, before they finally succumbed to government's plan
to site the EQW in the town, but not without conditions.
Niger Delta Voicelearned that the government's intention was to
convert the existing Primary Health Care Centre in the community to a
quarantine centre, but it ran into a hitch because the villagers were
not consulted.
"That was why they exploded and sealed the place withomu nkwuas soon
as they got wind of the plan.
Traditionally, if a land or property is taped up with omu nkwu, it
means a declaration of dispute and it cannot be untied except an
appeasement is made," a villager told Niger Delta Voice.
He asserted, "The youths and elders of the community vehemently
protested the action, particularly as they hand no foreknowledge."
The Ebola Quarantine Ward was a pro-active move by government of
Governor Chibuike Amaechi to checkmate the spread of EVD in the state
before the disease claimed its first victim, Dr. Iky Sam Enemua, in
Port Harcourt, the state capital, last Thursday.
Anxiety
With the doctor's wife already quarantined and many others at risk in
the state, there is tension in Odohua, as some of the residents were
contemplating fleeing the town. Some have also queried government's
rationale in bringing Ebola centre to the town.
Peace overture
Niger Delta Voice, however, gathered that at the heat of the
embarrassing situation, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Parker,
convened a meeting with the elders, opinion leaders, Community
Development Committee, CDC, youths and women of the community to
brainstorm on the way out.
A source said, "In the meeting, Parker humbly spoke to the community
of the urgent need of the quarantine centre in preparation for any
Ebola case in the state. He used the medium to sensitize the community
on how to prevent Ebola."
"He promised to build another health centre for the community. He also
promised to fund a temporary place where primary health activities
will be on before the government completes the proposed health centre
for the community," he added.
Niger Delta Voicewas informed that it was after the consultations that
the community acknowledged his promises and plea that the people
accept that the Cottage Health Centre be used for the Rivers State
EQW.
Conflicting feelings
However, there are divergent views in the community over the EQW.
While some persons wholly accepted the decision, saying it was another
form of development, others insisted that the location is dangerous,
as it is not in an isolated place.
A member of the community's Electricity Committee, Mr. Iheanyi
Ogwueli, toldNiger Delta Voice that the first day government came to
locate the centre in our village, without informing the community,
the people resisted every of their attempt.
His words, "When we heard this, the paramount ruler summoned the
whole community and sent message across to the Honourable Commissioner
of Health, who came on Tuesday (August 26),with his entourage and
the issue was resolved."
"Everybody agreed that they should use the health centre. The
Commissioner then approved that the state government will build
another health centre for the community and we accepted," he added.
Mr. Ogwueli asserted: "The resolution is a positive one because we
want to help the state as we have been doing. We are also happy that
the Honourable Commissioner has given us a good answer and a concrete
promise to build another health centre for us. When I say concrete, I
mean that the promise is documented.
I believe it is another level of government presence in our community."
Chairman of the committee, Mr. Okechukwu Prince Nnokam, corroborated
his claim, saying, "I feel very happy about this project because it
will promote the community. I do not think we will have so much
challenge because the project is a way we can be saved in case of any
infection or outbreak in the area."
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