Connect with us

COMMUNITY REPORT

Edo Fallen Dam: Group Urges State Govt To Send Relief Materials, Medical Aid To Polluted Community

Published

on





The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) is calling on the Edo State Government, the Ministry of Environment and the State Emergency management team to aid the people of Ekeke-Erah community in Owan East LGA, Edo State following a devastating dam collapse that led to destruction of their environment.

EDEN received a Save-Our-Souls from a member of the community, about a dam failure near the Agric Settlement in Esan West LGA since the 22 January 2025. The failure of the dam caused severe flooding in Ekeke-Erah, destroying key bridges, including the First and Second Oghidekpe Bridges, Osemihien River Bridge, and Ovbieda River Bridge, cutting off access to the community.

Speaking to EDEN Media team, President of the Owan General Assembly Of Nigeria-OGAN, Fred Enaikhe Aleburu revealed that farmlands were submerged, leading to major agricultural losses, while the contamination of the Oghidekpe River left residents without clean drinking water. He further revealed that after some media reports following the incident, the Edo State Emergency management Agency had visited the community and left without providing any form of relief or succor for the people.

“In response, the community staged a peaceful protest, demanding urgent government intervention. Following the protest, officials, including Hon. Aruna Mohammed and Hon. Barr. Eric Okaka, pledged to rebuild the damaged bridges and install boreholes for clean water. Meanwhile, Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDOSEMA) assessed the situation and promised to escalate the matter to the governor. To address immediate needs, a philanthropist, Amb. Barr. Joseph Eriki, donated ₦1 million naira (One million naira only), leading to the distribution of 20,000 bags of clean water. However, as 16 days have passed since the disaster, the community anxiously awaits tangible action, including infrastructure repairs, medical aid, and agricultural support, to restore their lives and prevent future crises.”

Advertisement

The Village Head of Ekeke-Erah, Chief Yakubu Kadiri, lamented over the suffering of the people, explaining that the failed dam and following pollution of the river has brought about water crisis, and disruption of transportation to buy or sell in the other communities.

“The most urgent issue is that we have not had safe drinking water for the past four days, and those who consumed the contaminated water are now in the hospital. Before this, we relied on the Oghidekpe River for drinking water. As the community leader, I sent youths to investigate the cause of the problem, and they discovered that a dam had been built at the river’s source. The blockage caused the dam to burst, leading to the flooding and water contamination. We confirmed that this is a government-owned project.”

Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams berated the Edo State government for a slow response to the plight of the people, despite their pleas for help, insisting that the rights and livelihood of the common people have been greatly affected in the communities, with many cut off from water and road access.

Advertisement

He urged the state government to quickly provide portable drinking water for the people, to fix the destroyed bridges and compensate the community for their lost farm produce and properties.

He also called for a medical team to be deployed to the community, to check and treat the people against any diseases that may have been caused by the fallen Dams.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Click to comment
BUSINESS8 hours ago

Chinese Coy, N’Delta Interiors Unveil New Wall and Ceiling Cladding with PVC Board in Warri

FEATURED11 hours ago

All Set for Grand Inauguration of Newly Built NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel’s Press Centre, on Fri.

ENTERTAINMENT21 hours ago

Police Escorts Risk Sanctions for Misconduct in Actress Angela Okorie’s Viral Street Jogging Video

FEATURED23 hours ago

Senato Nwoko Endorses Bill to Establish Drugs Rehabilitation Institute

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Delta Council Chair, Warri Resolves Protracted Boundary Dispute Between Emede and Olomoro (See Details)

OPINION2 days ago

THE NWOKO FACTOR, DOMINANT FORCE IN DELTA NORTH POLITICS

FEATURED2 days ago

PDP Heavyweights Meet INEC Leadership in Abuja

FEATURED2 days ago

Police Nabs Native Doctor with 2 Pump Action Guns in Delta

FEATURED2 days ago

Six Chinese to Spend One Year Each in Nigerian Prison for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

COMMUNITY REPORT3 days ago

Isoko South Boss, Warri Flags off War against Illicit Drugs Abuse

FEATURED3 days ago

2027: Itsekiri Leaders, Stakeholders Unite, Endorse Tinubu, Oborevwori for Second Term

social media
OPINION3 days ago

SENATOR NED NWOKO’S BLUEPRINT FOR A UNITED, PROGRESSIVE NIGERIA

OPINION3 days ago

2027: WHY THE URHOBO NATION MUST ROOT FOR A RANKING SENATOR

FEATURED3 days ago

Warri Ward Delineation Crisis: ISOPLOT Fires Back at INYA, Says ‘You’ve Lost Your Voice to Speak for Isoko Youths’

FEATURED4 days ago

How NDLEA Nabbed Make-up Artist Going to India for Fibroid Surgery with 2.20kg Cocaine at MMIA

Advertisement
Advertisement