Access to clean water and basic sanitation remains a pressing health concern in many riverine communities across the Niger Delta. Residents of areas like Arogbo, Ukparama, and other coastal and riverine settlements often rely on rivers and streams for daily use, but this natural resource can also become a silent danger when not handled properly.
Dirty or untreated water can lead to cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and skin infections – diseases that continue to claim lives, especially among children and the elderly. A concerned resident from Arogbo shared, “We drink from the river, but sometimes people defecate around it. When it rains, everything flows in. That’s why our children always fall sick.”
Protect Your Health and Family and here’s what you can do:
1. Boil water before drinking: even river water that looks clean may carry bacteria.
2. Wash hands regularly: with soap and water, especially before cooking or eating.
3. Store drinking water safely: use covered containers to prevent contamination.
4. Avoid open defecation: use latrines or dig temporary toilets when needed.
5. Seek medical attention: report unusual symptoms like frequent vomiting or diarrhea to a health center immediately.
Clean water and good hygiene are everyone’s responsibility. Whether you live on land or by the river, your health matters. Let’s protect our communities from preventable illnesses.
Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters will continue to educate, inform, and amplify voices that matter. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
©️ Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters
