••• Commence Panic Harvesting To Avoid Massive Destructions of Produce
By John Ugo, Awka
Hunger and famine are imminent as hundreds of farmers have embarked on harvesting of food crops following a flood disaster which swept through 15 communities in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra state.
The affected communities have been submerged by the flood which has become a perennial problem each year while millions of naira worth of crops are destroyed in the process.
The ugly development has forced the panicky farmers in the affected communities to begin massive harvesting of food crops from their farms to avoid losing their produce.
Investigations revealed that most of the farmers had obtained loans from banks with which they invested in the agricultural ventures.
They lamented that huge sums of money were lost to the flood which culminated in desperate effort to save what was left of the crops planted this year.
President General of Akili-Ogidi community in Ogbaru local government area Micheal Chukwuse said, “The flood is already in 15 communities along the River Niger banks and this is affecting the crops planted in our farm lands.
“If the farmers don’t evacuate their produce now, it would be too late for them when we get to the months of September and October.
“By that time people would be relocating to the up land and the farm produce would have been washed away by the flood and you cannot have access to the farms.”
Also, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment Chief Chinedu Obidigwe told newsmen that he has completed arrangements for the provision of relief materials and palliatives for the victims of flood disaster, stressing that he has ordered the delivery of crops for cultivation for the next farming season.
He said “As I speak with you the affected communities would receive relief materials as well as crops for cultivation for next year and we are looking at issuing soft loans and grants through the Bank of Agriculture to cushion the effects of the flood.”
Obidigwe also announced that the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has been briefed on the early establishment of of the Internally Displaced People IDP camps adding that medical personnels are being posted to those areas to take care of the medical needs of the flood victims.”
On his part, the state Commissioner for Environment Chief Felix Odumegwu said the Anambra state government has commenced opening of drains and demolition of structures built on top of the flood channels,
He added that sensitization programs have commenced in those communities for them to begin early to relocate to safer places.
Odumegwu said that the State Emergency Management Agency !SEMA) is already interfacing with it National counterpart (NEMA) for a more prompt and proactive actions towards reducing the level of destruction by the flood.
He called on the the riverine communities to adhere to the directives of the meterologist on flood disaster and other preventive meaaures.
