An outbreak of cholera in Soku community, located in the Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State, has tragically claimed the lives of nine individuals.
According to community sources speaking to journalists, the death toll could rise further if urgent measures are not taken to address the situation.
The sources attribute the outbreak to the consumption of contaminated drinking water, highlighting the dire need for clean and safe water sources in the area.
In response to the crisis, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has deployed a rapid response medical team to the affected community.
This intervention, facilitated through the Rivers State office of the NDDC, includes a contingent of medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, aimed at providing immediate medical assistance and containment efforts.
Commenting on the situation, Chief Tony Okocha, the state representative on the commission’s board, emphasized that the swift and intensive intervention was directed towards safeguarding the lives of Soku community members.
As of now, the Rivers State Ministry of Health has not issued any official statement to verify this regrettable occurrence.
Soku holds historical significance as a hub for oil and gas exploration and exploitation, with a legacy dating back to 1958, originating from Oloibiri. Presently, the community hosts three flow stations, namely Soku, Ekulama I and II, along with the Oil Ream Development project (ORD), and the Soku Liquefied Natural Gas Plant, estimated at over N25 billion.
In 2019, Soku gained international attention when the Rivers State government took legal action against the Bayelsa State government concerning the ownership of the Soku Oil Fields.