Communities in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State have cried out over deaths of children due to outbreak of measles in the area, calling for urgent intervention from the authorities.

The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of Emago-Kugbo, Levi Marcus, who confirmed the development to journalists in Port Harcourt, lamented that the situation was getting out of hand demanding urgent action by government at all levels.

According to him, the hardest hit were Kugbo Clan, Amurutoru-Kugbo, Emago-Kugbo and Akani-Kugbo Communities.

“We have a situation that is ravaging Okugbo Clan. That is to say Emago, Akani and Akpotu and the situation we are talking about is measles.

“In Akani-Okugbo, from what we witnessed and confirmed, 20 children have died. Then again if you go to Amuruotoru, we also have the same situation. We have up to 15 recorded cases.

He regretted that efforts by the affected communities to reach the government was yet unsuccessful, calling on the Rivers State and Federal Governments to step and checkmate the deteriorating situation and save the lives of children in the area.  

“We have tried our best to reach the government but the government has not responded.”

Also speaking, the Youth Leader of Emago-Kugbo Community, Edoghotu Edwin, who said he visited other communities to ascertain the situation of things, appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the communities.

“The situation now is bad. Measles has taken over the community and the children are suffering. Over 15 children have died in Emago.

“The situation has extended to Akani and Amuruotor. And we are calling on the government to come to our aid because there are no health workers to handle the situation,” Edwin said.