Agbobo Umuoga Ossomala community, located in the Ogbaru council area of Anambra State, has been hit by a devastating flood disaster, leading to the closure of a state-of-the-art automated farm worth millions of naira. The disaster has claimed the lives of over 25,000 birds in the poultry section of the farm, while aquatic life and crops have also been severely impacted.
The proprietor of the farm complex, Patrick Sule-Ugboma, shared the grim news during a tour of the facility with journalists. As a result of the flood, approximately 400 company staff have been instructed to cease their operations, adding to the economic and human toll of the calamity.
Ogbaru, a community residing along the River Niger coastline, has long been vulnerable to flooding, with its residents frequently enduring the devastating consequences. The farm, sprawling across 20 hectares of land, has borne a significant financial brunt due to this recent flood disaster.
“We have lost more than 25,000 poultry birds, fish in our ponds worth several millions of naira, and numerous other properties worth several millions of naira,” stated Mr. Sule-Ugboma, highlighting the extensive losses incurred by the farm.
Additionally, the flood has inflicted damage on several bridges along the Onitsha-Ndoni Road, particularly the Umunnakwo Bridge. The collapse of the same bridge in 2022 resulted in a tragic boat mishap that claimed multiple lives. With bridges in a perilous state on the Ogbaru-Ndoni Road, local residents and travelers have resorted to crossing the river using makeshift wooden boats, exposing them to significant risks.
In light of the dire situation, Mr. Sule-Ugboma urgently appealed to both the federal and Anambra State governments for intervention. “I am calling on Governor Charles Soludo to look into the plight of our people, especially with flooding hitting Ogbaru communities again,” he urged. He also directed his plea to the Niger Delta Development Commission, urging them to prioritize the reconstruction of the Onitsha-Ndoni Road.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the flood disaster and the automated farm remains shuttered, the call for swift and comprehensive action from the authorities reverberates, underscoring the need for measures to prevent further loss of life and economic setbacks.
