Heavy rainfall over the past week has brought severe devastation to the community of Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe Ishieke in Ebonyi local government area. The Ekebeligwe Bridge was submerged under floodwaters, and valuable farm crops worth millions of Naira were destroyed as a result.
Residents recounted the profound impact of the rainfall, lamenting the loss of their entire crop yields, including yams, cassava, corn, and rice. “Our investments in these farms seem lost, and we fear starting anew once the floodwaters recede,” expressed some of the affected farmers.
Mr. Mgbada Chukwu, spokesperson for the farmers, conveyed these concerns during a visit by Mr. Clement Ovuoba, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who came to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flood.
Chukwu highlighted the relentless downpours experienced across the state, resulting in widespread destruction of the community’s farmlands. “The floodwaters swept away all the crops we had meticulously planted for the season,” he explained. “In Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe, farming is our primary livelihood. We engage in early planting to sustain year-round farming activities. Sadly, the flood has devastated everything.”
He further detailed the aftermath of the rainfall, describing how the floodwaters engulfed their fields, washing away not only crops like yams, cassava, corn, and rice but also other essential produce such as melons. The impact wasn’t limited to agricultural losses; the integrity of the Ogbogbo-Ekebeligwe Bridge, constructed with wood, was also severely compromised.
“The wooden bridge is now at risk,” Chukwu warned. “During heavy rains, it becomes submerged, cutting off access to our farmlands.” He urged the government to provide urgent relief in the form of agricultural inputs, chemicals, and seeds to aid in the community’s recovery. Moreover, he appealed for the bridge to be replaced with a more durable structure made of reinforced concrete to mitigate future risks.
Chukwu emphasized the danger posed by the current bridge configuration during inclement weather, underscoring the urgency of the situation. “When it rains while we’re in the fields, we have to rush home to avoid being stranded due to the bridge being submerged,” he elaborated.
Mr. Ovuoba, expressing concern over the extensive flooding witnessed in the community, reassured the residents of the government’s commitment to providing adequate support to flood victims.
“We are here to assess the damage caused by the flood,” Ovuoba affirmed. “The devastation to their farmlands is profound and threatens the food security goals that both the State and Federal Governments are striving to achieve.”
He pledged to relay their findings to the appropriate authorities, ensuring that both state and national emergency management agencies would mobilize resources to assist the affected community.
