Chronicles of a polluted region

Chronicles of a polluted region 
BY PRISCA SAM-DURU 

At a time when the debauchery of youths which has resulted into total mental breakdown, gross involvement in all manner of vices, is at an alarming stage, it’s heart-warming to know that there are still few remnant committed to leading a good life. Delta State-born young award-winning writer, Peter Ukwa is one of such dedicated youths who are bent on impacting the society positively. It is even more encouraging seeing he decided to do this through his pen. His first collection of short stories, River People and Other Stories, published by Words Rhymes & Rhythm Limited, Jabi District, Abuja, attests to this. The book, an 80-page collection of 8 amazing short stories including True Independence which won the Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA) Centenary Literary Prize, directs the searchlight on some pressing issues still plaguing the Niger-Delta region. Coming at a period when there are intensified efforts to salvage what is left of the Niger Delta, the book which tells stories of family, people and culture of Africa, underscores the importance of patriotism, good leadership and non-violent revolution. True Independence, The Second Letter, Flower Vase, Wireless, The Poor Rich Man, The Stepmother, Nneka and River People are the 8 subtitles contained in the book. The Political Science graduate from the Niger Delta University, employs a simple narrative technique carefully laced with African proverbs such that the contents can be enjoyed by any age bracket. 
The use of flash backs as well as suspense as the dominating technique, usually climaxing in the core message he intends sending across, do well to hold the reader spell-bound until the last word is consumed. The Niger-Delta struggles against environmental disaster is a major feature in the book. The author brings to the fore, issues surrounding pipeline vandalism, oil spillages and the resulting environmental degradation which have over the years, plagued the Niger-Deltans. The book also documents selfless services of heroes such as Ken Saro Wiwa and others who fought to ensure that the region is made habitable for its people. Instance of this is seen in True Independence where Ukwa relives memories of incidences of fire resulting from burst pipeline which engulfed all those who scooped crude at the site. The fire also destroyed farm lands. In Flower Vase, readers are confronted with some of the demerits of military regime. In presenting that, he cleverly fuses family life with serious issues such as coup d’etat, using the later as potent suspense mechanism to arrest his readers’ attention. In the title story, River People, the author examines the huge difference between violent and non-violent revolution. And corroborating the stance of countries like America and revolutionary leader, Martin Luther King Jr., the book adopts the non-violent approach to resolving issues. This method yields an appreciable result as against violence that consumes the key players in the struggle. With his simple narrative style which no doubt, is reminiscent of late the literary legend, Professor Chinua Achebe; accounts of most unfortunate incidences of fire from vandalised or ruptured oil pipeline, unholy killings of youth corps members posted to the Northern part of the country, Peter Ukwa has proved himself, a voice people should watch out for. Unlike most books especially coming from fresh voices, River People and Other Stories is not laddened with typographic errors. The title is direct and suggestive of the content, the language is simple, apt and makes for easy assimilation. Since the stories are told through the eyes of a young boy, the cover design is appropriate and speaks volumes of the author creative ingenuity. River People And Other Stories is recommended for the reading pleasure of every family, school and all ages.