By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
An outbreak cholera (vomiting and diarrhea)has claimed 35 lives with 150 on admission at medical facility in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Chairman of the local council, Professor Ibrahim Bulama, disclosed this with a call on the state and Federal Governments to come to the aid of the victims.
Professor Bulama, who was in attendance at the presentation of Demands of Border Communities in Borno State, a function at the Multi-purpose Hall, Government House in Maiduguri, said the council needs urgent assistance to curtail the spread of the disease.
He said that ten local governments that have borders with the republics of Chad,Niger and Cameroon lack social amenities like electricity, clean water supply, motorable roads, health facilities and security protection has rendered them vulnerable, stressing that the security system at the borders should be strengthened because movement of foreign nationales into the state is alarming.
According to him “the easy movement is facilitated by the nature of the porous border which facilitates smuggling of arms and ammunition, hard drugs and other unwanted goods.”
The Gwoza LGA Chairman pointed out that provision of security personnel and gadgets to man all borders is very important as insurgents take advantage of lack of security personnel and porosity of the border to perpetuate their evil acts.
“The provision of Hospitals, schools, clinics, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities will invariably prevent our people from travelling to neighbouring countries for medical treatment and other things while young men and women will not be attracted to urban cities for green pastures.” Bulama said.
