Disturbed by the perennial flood menace, the people of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on the state and federal governments to come to their aid in the area.
In a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message Sir (Dr.) Patrick Sule Ugboma (Ide of Ogbaru) the community also urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to consider the construction of the Onitsha-Atani-Ossomala-Ogwuikpele-Ase Azaga-Ndoni Road, which is in a state of delapidation.
In the SOS message, Sir Ugboma said, “this vital economic impactful road will link the Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State with their kith and kin in Delta, Imo and Rivers States.
His words: “The agriculture, which is the main stay of the people’s economic life has suffered unduly by the neglect of the community by successive state and Federal Governments.
“The Ogbaru people in Anambra, Delta, Rivers and Imo constitute the food basket of these states and the central road connecting the clan, the Onitsha – Atani – Ossomala – Ogwuikpele – Ase azaga – Ndoni road is inqqqqq total collapse. We therefore presently find it extremely difficult to move our cash crops from the farms to the hinterland,” he lamented.
He explained that Ogbaru, in generic terms, is a clan of people of identical culture, language and way of life, remarking that the people, who are mainly spread along the coasts of the River Niger and across the four states are mainly farmers and fishermen.
According to Sir Ugboma, “Ogbaru Local Government in Anambra State with headquarters in Atani, is the central abode of the Ogbaru people, it is comprised of Fifteen (15) indigenous Communities namely, Odekpe; Ohita; Atani; Akili Ozizor; Ochuche Umuodu; Umuzu; Amiyi; Ogbakuba; Mputu and Umunankwo.
“Others are, Ogwuaniocha; Ossomala; Obeagwe; Akili Ogidi; Ogwuikpele and one non-indigenous community, Okpoko.”
While remarking that the communities are largely agrarian, the community leader regretted that although the terrain is very fertile for crop production and fishing, the area is very prone to perennial flooding due to its proximity to the River Niger.
“These perennial floods have badly affected farming activities and further impoverished the people. Most of the communities have become inaccessible due to the decrepit state of the only road leading into all the communities.
“Furthermore, about a half of these communities have been in total darkness for upwards of ten years in most cases. Ogbaru Local Government has been totally neglected by successive Local, State and Federal Governments despite its food-basket status.
“It is equally noteworthy that Ogbaru hosts the eight viable oil wells in Anambra State which had conferred Oil- producing status of the state. Despite the oil revenue accruable to Anambra State from the Ogbaru Oil Wells, basic infrastructure is nearly non-existent, the few existing ones are in total collapse, while poverty among the people is on continuous, upward rise.”
When our Correspondent visited Ogbaru, it was observed that the multibillion-naira automated Matucci Farms Limited located at Agbobo Umuoga Ossomala community has been shut down following the recent flood that ravaged the farm.
Sir Ugboma who is the proprietor of the farm disclosed that about 25,000 poultry birds were killed and properties worth several millions of naira destroyed by the flood.
He also said that about 400 workers of the company lost their jobs following the flood disaster, adding that this development has adversely affected the economy of the area in particular, and the state in general.
Meanwhile, some bridges on the Onitsha-Atani, Ossomala-Ogwuikpele-Ase azaga-Ndoni road, especially the Ossomala bridge at Umunnakwo community, has collapsed following a combination of flooding and erosion menace.
Residents going either to Ogwuikpele from Umunnakwo or travelling from Ogwuikpele to neighbouring communities were seen crossing the river by wooden boats following the collapse of the Umunnakwo bridge.
The people appealed to both the state and federal governments to come to their rescue, saying that Governor Soludo is yet to visit the area to know their plight since he became governor.
