10 die of cholera in Anambra after discovery of corpses

No fewer than10 persons have allegedly died of cholera and other water borne diseases since the discovery of corpses in Ezu River in Amansea, Anambra State in 2013.
Chief Benjamen Onoania, the Head of Amaowele village and also a member of the of Amansea king’s cabinet, told newsmen at Amansea on Tuesday that at least 20 motor accidents had also been recorded close to the bridge where the corpses were discovered.
Onoania said the incidents indicated that the gods were angry.
He said the Anambra State Government at that time promised to dig boreholes to provide alternative source of water for the community but that had yet to be done.
The village head said Senator Chris Ngige, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District at the time, embarked on a borehole project and again that was abandoned half way.
He said the community resorted to drinking from their traditional Ezu River and the result was death from water borne diseases as a result of the pollution.
“Not only that the gods are angry because they are not appeased, you can also imagine the rate at which motor accidents has occurred in the area around the river,” he said.
Onoania said that motor accidents had been recorded near the Ezu River between 2013 when the incident happened and now, pointing out that one of such accidents occurred in his compound.
He said: “As a member of our king’s cabinet representing Amaowele village, Amansea, where the incident happened, a bus rammed into my gate, broke into the compound and destroyed a shop three months ago.
“The bus knocked down two persons who were rushed to a hospital.
“These signs show that the gods are not happy.
“I am in danger, especially since the bus ran into my compound because the gods say that as I requested from the village, I have yet to do anything to appease them.”
Onoania said the community had been abandoned and only made an object of political campaign as all big politicians in the state had visited the community, made promises and left without fulfilling them.
He said the community had called on Governor Willie Obiano, through the traditional ruler, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo, and the member representing them in the state constituency, Hon. Boniface Okonkwo, to come to their aid.
Onoania further called on the state government to provide the necessary materials to enable the community to appease the gods.
“As we are traditionally inclined to believe that the river is spiritual, we have never heard that any person was drowned in it because we have a covenant with it,” Onoania said.
NAN.