Page:Niger Delta Ecosystems- the ERA Handbook, 1998.djvu/255

Port Harcourt :sheets that are rusting away fast. Nonetheless because of the position, ventilation is good, although offset by the obvious sewage smell coming from the nearby polluted creek at low tide. In the main room there is a music centre, a fridge, a table fan, a gas stove and two cylinders (but now too expensive to use), a double bed and mattress, a coffee table, an armchair and a stool; here sleep Mr. and Mrs. E and their youngest daughter. In the second room is used as a kitchen and the bedroom for the rest of the family, and it contains an iron sprung bed, a coffee table, a kerosene stove, a yam pounder, a cupboard, crates of empty mineral bottles, a plastic bucket, and pot, pans and dishes. The store contains a stool, a bucket, 3 empty 200L drums and an old table.

'I came to Bundu Waterside in 1987. I was staying in Diobu before. When I leave Diobu I came to Bundu. Just after the war I came to Port Harcourt. I just cannot say exactly but maybe 1971 or 1972. I am married with six children. My first wife gave me 3 children and the second wife has given me 3. I live in two rooms.'

'The reason for my leaving Akwete is because of the shipping line business. I came to Port Harcourt to look for job as a dockworker. The company folded up: it is no more. I was a fisherman before. I was fishing in Akwete before coming to Port Harcourt. In addition I do business by using bicycle transport. If I have money I can go back to Akwete. Five of my children are with me now and my wife. I want all of us to be together.'

'The water is rotten water. The water we drink is from the well. To get pipeborne water you pay. Normally N3 for a jerry can. We buy the water and use the well water for washing. Even the water from the NPA and Mobile Police barracks is not good. After fetching it we have to use white cloth to filter it.'

'My daughter had typhoid fever. She spent five days in the hospital at Aba Road and they gave me a bill of N4,500. Well I have paid N2,000. I am still owing them N2,500.'

'The conditions are hard! I am sure say I no fit born again. Well, if I fork my wife and I no want pickin', I pull off before I pour. Well I am happy. Monkey say anywhere na home. It is not a normal place to live. We are grown up. Our body can survive it but the children cannot. It can affect their life. If I have money I will leave and go and stay in my father's compound as the first son.'

'Port is a good place of living before. It was good before. Before, I go NPA, I go high sea, I have money, I feed my children, but now no way. It is not a good place for me any more. That is why I want to go.'


 * The E. family give the impression of being happy and united despite their condition. Mr. and Mrs. E. were in agreement on most points. Mrs. E:

'I go to market three times a week. I go to Bundu market. I spend between N400 (1994 = ca. US$8) and N500 at any given time. I spend about N1200 every week to feed my family. I go to church every Sunday. My husband don't go. I go with my children. The service lasts three hours. I was born at Asa in Ukwa LGA in Abia but I marry B. from Akwete. I don't want to have more children because of the condition of things.'

But B. interjects: If condition were better we can born 100 children.

Mrs. B again: I will go to family planning to control things.

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 * Mr. C.B. During the conversation Mr.Owekigha was taking care of the baby while his wife was frying groundnut.