The traditional ruler of Ojjor community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Emeka Emmanuel has called on governments, individuals and organizations to assist his people following the flood that submerged the community in November.
After losing their fields and buildings to the flood, more than 10,000 residents of the riverine community along the Enugu-Kogi border now face acute starvation and destitution.
Emmanuel stated that although the community had received some relief supplies from the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency, they still needed as much assistance as they can get.
He said, โthe state and federal governments brought us some relief materials, mainly food items. Aside them, the International World Organisation also came. They took stock of our losses, but we have not heard from them again.
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Speaking further, he said, โnobody in Ojjor has seed rice. The flood came at the peak of farming. We lost everything, including our property. We donโt have a kobo with us to embark on our farming activities. We are mainly agrarian people. We need seeds, fertilisers, insecticides, irrigation equipment, among others.
The royal father demanded the citing of a seaport in the area for easy evacuation in case of flooding.
“The most recent flooding submerged us within few minutes and all our farm produce, destroying our property and plantations,” he recalled. “Our ability to swim saved many lives, otherwise the casualties would have been unimaginable. If we had a port, we would have saved some of the things we lost.โ
This story was adapted from The Whistler.
