Bayelsa-based lawyer, Barr. Timila
Jenkins Okponipere has raised an alarm
over imminent outbreak of cholera and
other waterborne diseases in some
Bayelsa communities.
Okponipere made his position known
following the pollution of the entire
coastline of Brass and surrounding
environment with the blood of a dead
decomposing Whale which has washed
ashore.
Recall last weekend, a whale of about
30ft washed ashore Ijaw kiri community
water front in Brass Local Government
Area.
The lawyer, who frowned at the feasting
of the dead aquatic animals by indigenes
of those communities without first
establishing knowledge of what killed
it, urged government to cordon off the
area and immediately commence the
process of evacuation of the remains of
the dead sea mammal.
According to him, “About three days ago,
a gigantic sea mammal, found itself
stranded ashore at one of the fishing
settlements on Brass waterfront in Brass
LGA of Bayelsa State. The sea mammal is
widely believed to be one of the rare
species of Whales which are gradually
going extinct.
“In civilised societies, the helpless
Whale would be helped back into its
natural habitat by concerned citizens
but the inhabitants who live within and
around the fishing settlement where the
whale mistakenly found itself; couldn’t
believe their luck: very much like
Vultures and Hyenas, they descended on
the unfortunate mammal with all manner
of cutting implements to harvest pounds
and pounds of flesh.”
The lawyer said further, “isn’t it most
shameful, sickening and despicable that,
the Government of the state has failed,
refused and/or otherwise neglected to
issue a statement regarding the
unfortunate incident.”
He also appeal that post-mortem
activities be carried out by the
appropriate health Institution, to
ascertain whether or not health-related
challenges might arise from the
incident.
No comments