Maduako Igbokwe I Tuesday, August 15, 2023
AWKA, Anambra – Fifty communities in seven local government councils in Anambra state have raised alarm over the threat of flood in their areas. The alarm was raised by some farmers in the communities, who said this year’s flooding will affect about 50 communities.
The alarm is coming following the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA warning on the impending flood disaster in 19 states of the federation including Anambra state. The apprehension is getting higher as the river level has started increasing on a daily basis.
Some of the communities include Omor in Ayamelum local government area , Ifite Ogwari, Umuerum Aguleri in Anambra East , Oba Ofemili in Awka North local and Atani in Ogbaru local government council.
NEMA had in a release on Monday listed 19 states warning that adequate preparations should be made to avert a flood disaster.
NEMA also advised communities residing along the coastal areas to begin early to evacuate themselves from those areas before the flood comes.
Last year over 50 Communities were swept away by flood, destroying buildings and farm lands as well as causing outbreak of cholera pandemic in those communities in Anambra state.
It is also being feared that over 250 fish farms would be affected by the coming flood across the coastal regions of the state which according to the farmers would be a monumental loss to the farmers and to the state.
Anambra state Commissioner for Environment Engr Felix Odimegwu had explained that the state government had been holding sensitization programs and awareness campaigns, informing natives in the area about the impending flood .
He also said that the local government area Transition Committee Chairmen have been directed to hold Town Hall meetings to educate the Communities about what to do ahead of the anticipated flooding.
The Onitsha South local government area Transition Committee Chairmen Chief Emeka Joseph Orji said his administration has taken proactive measures by removing all the illegal structures and cleared all canals and drainages that blocked the canal which causes the problems of flooding. He expressed confidence that this year’s flooding would not affect the council area much.
Mr Clement Chukwudi Igwilo a fish and pig farmer in Omor, Ayamelum local government area confirmed that the flood has started coming up stating that he has evacuated his farm to another location.
“It has come to Ifite Ogwari, Omor , Umuerum Aguleri in Anambra East heading to Oba Ofemili in Awka North local government area and places that were dry lands have been taken over by the coming flood ”
“We have over 350 large fish farms in the waterways and once the flood comes, it would sweep away everything and we are left with nothing”
“It is sad that we are harvesting so early and we have no choice but in order to save the much we can,we are harvesting. If the flood comes those to be affected much are fish farmers and those that planted yams and cassava. They are harvesting too early to avoid colossal damage ” he stated.
Madam Monica Nwoye a farmer in Inoma, Anambra West local government area said that it is not enough for NEMA to raise alarm every year,noting that they should come on time to assist the farmers.
“The government people every year would shout and tell us that flood is coming but it ends there and there is nothing to offer to save our farms. After the flood government would forget us and wait for another year”, she said
Prince Chris Okwuosa a fish farmer from Umuzu community in Ogbaru local government area lamented that the Bank of Industries and Agricultural bank have not helped matters expressing fears that there would be a food crisis next year due to the impending flood.
“What is the Bank of Industries and Agricultural bank doing to assist us over the flood? Nothing! Everything is just paper work and no action.
“I lost my floating fish farm net during the last flood and I found it around Bayelsa State and I know how much that I lost to the flood and both the state and federal governments did nothing to help us so we have started evacuation and it is costing us a lot ” he said.
