Flood: Tears as residents of submerged Anambra communities count losses

…Awba Ofemmili, Amiyi, others worse hit

AS communities in eight local government areas  of Anambra State overrun by ongoing flood bemoan human losses inflicted on them by the disaster, some of their inhabitants writhe in tears and agony while counting personal or family means of livelihood that were washed away.

  Although these tales are widespread among Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Anambra East, Anambra West, Awka North, Ayamelum and Oyi Local Government Areas, indigenes of Awba Ofemmili, Anaku and Amiyi are more pathetic as they lament their farmlands full of pre-harvest crops that were submerged within a twinkle of an eye.

of Awba Ofemmili in Awka North L.G.A, Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna said “over 30 houses were destroyed with nearly 5,000 farmers reporting loss of their farming ventures for the year. We have never had it so bad with previous floodings.

There are many persons who individually lost between 20 and 40 chains of rice farm while many numbering over 3,000 each have more than 30 chains of cassava farm overrun in just two days.

Right now, my people are  devastated but I have put machinery in place to see that people do not take their lives. We also commend Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for his kind gestures in providing timely lifelines to mu community by donating some bags of rice and beans among other food items. But we are also seeking financial help for people to help them mitigate their losses.

 We say this because some of these people who watched their farmlands and crops washed away obtained loans for the year’s farming. In all, we lost more than N300 million. Their condition is better imagined when their creditors come for their money,” Igwe Maduagwuna said.

  Also speaking, a retired school principal, Mr. Alfred Nwekeoti said he lost six chains of cassava farm and 12 chains of rice farm. According to Nwekeoti, this has occasioned more than N10million loss on him, and he needs assistance from good spirited people and groups before his creditors come for their money.

  Similarly, former Member Representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Victor Afam Ogene said “farmers in Ogbaru LGA have been devastated after their houses, farms and other businesses perished in horrendous flood, leaving very many people in dire agony, sorrow, tears and hopelessness.”

  According to Ogene, the situation is same in Ogwuikpele, Akili Ogidi, Obeagwe, Ossomala, Ogwuaniocha, Mputu, Umunankwo, Ogbakuba, Ochuche, Umuzu, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ohita and Odekpe, Amiyi, Iyiowa, Ogbeukwu, Okoti and parts of Okpoko communities.

  Therefore, Ogene solicited interventions for his people since “these flood victims that cut across several communities, urgently need relief materials and other assistance from government and its agencies, such as NEMA and SEMA.

I therefore call on these agencies to rise up to its responsibility and bring urgent succour to the people of Ogbaru, who are currently besieged by flooding, so as to avert the outbreak of health challenges associated with such incident. Most of them urgently need food, clothing materials, beddings, medical supplies and shelter.”