The ancient Ibaka Town in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has lamented the lack of adequate water facilities, saying what is available is not enough to serve the entire community.

Speaking with Kristina Reports on Monday, February 24, 2025, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Dickson Oforibo stated that there is no borehole construction ongoing and the community is suffering from inadequate water facilities.

“What the local government said when they came, that we should give them a site where they can erect a borehole structure and we gave it to them but they haven’t come and we’re still waiting for them.”

“In the entire community because our community is very big, it’s an ancient kingdom, we have just one solar borehole commissioned by the NDDC, asides that all other boreholes are not running.”  

“It’s really worrying because if it stops, people find it difficult to get water. We have several boreholes but none is running. Some of them the sumos are burnt, others are stolen and we’re just like that.”

The CDC Chairman also mentioned the issue of power supply situation, asserting that it is a threat to human lives and properties.

Also in an interview with Kristina Reports, an indigene of the community, George Iyalla recounted that aside the issue of water, the community is burdened with a poor drainage system and deplorable electricity poles which pose a threat to humans.

“I try as much as I can, if you look at my environment, the place is a bit clean because I take it upon myself to do the work.

“The few days we’ve had rain, because we don’t have a good drainage, the water will remain stagnant for days, and it makes it difficult to for people to walk freely.”

“If you go to the town square, there are two poles that are about to fall down, and on about two to three houses, there’s a cable hanging on the roof of these houses.”  

“Should there be a case of high voltage or high tension or in the eventually of a rain fall and these cables touch the ground, many lives will be lost, both children, mothers, fathers and the aged.”

George also lamented on the issue of unemployment, adding that the youths of Ibaka have been so neglected and that’s why the spate of criminal activities have exacerbated.

“Just look around you, youths are just moving about, there are no jobs for them. The reasonable ones just take up menial jobs, the other ones go about stealing from people just to survive.”

“We need help, let the local government shift their gaze on us. Let them provide job opportunities, we’re really going through hell.”

Speaking also, one of the elders of the community, Tamuno Ajuboye said even the elders are neglected as well.

“Recently, we heard of a grant given to some older folks in various communities but we will be truthful that that is not enough. It can only go round for 30 to 50 persons, it’s not enough.

“There should be empowerment for the elders as well. We don’t have the physical strength to go about our activities.”

Ajuboye also lament on the waste that is proliferating and making the environment unfit to live.

“The local government authorities should provide tractors, so we can move our wastes because it’s an eyesore.

“Everywhere you go, dustbins are littered. We need help because these things breed mosquitoes and we have to start spending money on drugs and treatment for illnesses.”