Stakeholders in Duburo and Wiiyaakara communities, in Khana Local Government Area have called on the Rivers State government to provide and upgrade where necessary, social amenities in the area to help improve living conditions.
The call was part outcome of a Connected Development, CODE townhall meeting held with stakeholders to access the state of health care delivery and other services provided by the state government.
The meeting revealed lack of functional heath care services there with negative health implications especially for women and children.
Woman Leader of Duburo Community, Mrs Barikpemom Peter shared the challenges faced by pregnant women and children, especially during the period leading up to labour and child bearing.
She said, “Many of our women die during labour as a result of complications and the absence of a functional Primary Health-Care Centre in our community. As for our children, we resort to local herbal remedies for cure when they fall sick. Some of our children die in the process and unfortunately, that is how we have been living for many years.”
Also contributing to the dialogue, Mr Micheal Nwiyegesi, a member of the Community Development Committee (CDC) decried the level of untold hardship faced by the people of Duburo Community as a result of the absence of a functional primary health-care centre. He appealed to CODE to double its efforts in drawing the attention of the government to the sorry state of the community, while also commending CODE’s drive towards holding the government to account and advocating for improved service delivery to the people.
A former Councillor representing Kpean/Baen/Duburo Ward 18 in Khana LGA,
Hon. Patrick Gbaranwi, and member of the Duburo Community Council of Chiefs and Elders in his own submission, narrated the numerous efforts made over the years by the leadership of the community to drawthe attention of the government to the plight of the community as a result of lack of government presence in terms of basic social amenities, especially a primary health-care centre.
“We have written severally to both the state and local government for intervention but nothing has changed. We’re hopeful that things will change this time around with the research report from CODE,” he stated.
Chief Micheal Kanee, a member of the Duburo Community Council of Chiefs expressed the readiness and willingness of the community to partner with CODE in the “Follow The Money Campaign.”
The representative of the Stakeholders from Wiiyaakara Community, Elder Clifford Bere appealed for the employment of more doctors and nurses for the community primary health care centre
Earlier, the stakeholders were told the town hall meeting was organized to relay to them and healthcare representatives, findings of a CODE research on the state of healthcare facilities and delivery in Khana Local Government as part of its Follow the Money Project focused on accountability from governments.
Paramount ruler of the community, Mene (Chief) Madu James Deeyor expressed delight over the project commended for “a job well done.”
He applauded the initiatives of CODE campaign/advocacy towards accountability and transparency, and expressed optimism that it would result in a change through collaboration and partnership with communities.
At the end of the meeting, the communities resolved that CODE as the facilitating NGO, should engage with necessary agencies of government to ensure that actions are taken on the research findings to bring about needed change while leaders of Duburo and Wiiyaakara communities should be involved in any further discussion or engagement with the government at the state and at the local level for synergy, possible collaboration, and partnership.
It was also resolved that the capacity of the leadership of both communities should be built up through trainings for active participation in the accountability drive and a platform be set up for community members to tell their stories and demand accountability from government on issues affecting them.
The meeting was facilitated by Mr Charles Uffort and Amb Vincent Gbosi , Community Champions for the CODE CTAP Phase ll Project and was attended by 66 community members comprising of 26 men and 40 women.
