Ebola in Nigeria: Rivers Community Oppose Creation of Quarantine Centre in Their Area

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LequteMan

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The decision of the Rivers State Government to establish a quarantine ward for Ebola patients at Oduoha –Emohua community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state ignited tension between government and the villagers, last week.

According to Niger Delta Voice, 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 with omu nkwu (tender palm frond).

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.

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, reports say.

“That was why they exploded and sealed the place with omu nkwu as 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 said.

“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.
 

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