Issue: Amaechi And The Okochiri Environmental Pollution
Activist: Rivers State is a state that accommodates the whole country to the detriment of its happiness and freedom. Just imagine how the state that is hosting the economy that sustained the whole country is never cared for. The people of Rivers State suffer pollution because the supposed blessing meant for the people of the area where oil and other components are found becomes a curse to the immediate residents.
The irony that follows is that as the residents host community suffers all sorts of disease and sickness, the nation fares better and enjoys the accruing product of the refinery. Now the host community is in serious pains and sorrow. More alarming is that the host community does not have basic amenities like portable drinking water and constant power supply. This is embarrassing and ridiculous to the governor and the people of the state, not only the immediate host community of the nation’s economy.
The same thing is happening in Eleme and the Ogoni speaking LGAs, as governor Amaechi visited Okrika LGA on the 14th of March, 2013, the people of Okochiri had cried out through one of their Chief for help and the governor has said he will embark on mass court action that is if the people of Okrika will provide him a sound lawyer.
A second option on the issue is that he will direct the commissioners for health and environment to conduct a fresh test on the land and file a petition to the federal government stating that “our people are dying of pollution, as their vegetation, aquatic life, economic life and general life is in danger. People are dying intermittently, please do something to alleviate the plight of the people.
I think the first and second options are all good but Governor Amaechi should apply the first option of mass court action, where instead of the state his name, the chiefs and the chairman of the Okrika local government should take NNPC to court, I think this will be to the advantage of the people of Okochiri and the rest of the communities being affected in the state. It is a better option if the federal government is approached but it will only give promises and it will take a longer time before the affected communities and LGAs in Rivers State will achieve positive result. Delay is not what the people of Okochiri and other most affected areas want, but action at this material time.
Student: Pollution is a serious issue in the life of human beings. If the Okochiri issue is not handled right away, and on time, it will only further claim more lives. The governor Amaechi should swing into action by applying the mass court action by taking NNPC to court. I think it will yield more fruitful result than waiting for the federal government. This does not mean the federal government will not be informed.
Market Woman: It is a pity that the people of Okochiri are dying unjustly on what should have provided them blessing. More pitiable is the fact that they do not even have basic social amenities that make life easy going. Governor Amaechi should without delay act to relief the people of Okochiri and Eleme from the danger they are already involved. What is not good is not good. It is condemnable and should not be taken lightly.
Worker: It is only in this part that such a thing will happen and the governor will fold his hands. If Governor Amaechi meant well for the people of Okochiri and the rest of the areas, he should take the bull by the horn and fight it out after all he is the governor of the state, the people, the FG may delay action for the betterment of the lives of the Okochiri people, action should be taken now, already much lives had been wasted. This is my plea.
Comforter: All will be well if human being will respect life by obeying the simple rule of life, “Live and lets live,” this is the golden rule that governed the universe because life is sacrosanct. All should obey this law, which will make every soul respect and regard life.
Amaechi should act fast to call NNPC to order. Infact, the people of Okochiri should be elevated to a virginland and intensive medical care given to them.
Special treatment should be mapped out for all residents of Okochiri immediately without delay. #
With Allanso Jonathan Allanso
