FLOOD IN ONDO STATE: POULTRY/FISH FARMER COUNTS LOSES IN MILLION, SENDS SOS TO GOVERNMENT
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Good Life Farms that deals in rearing of fowls and fish farming at Irese Community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr. Herbert Okafor, has estimated the worth of his farms that were swept away by the flood to the tune of N10 million.
While speaking with the Democrat News Magazine in his farm at Ore-Ofe Estate in Irese on Monday June 26, 2023, the CEO of Good Life Farms noted that his huge investment into the farms had been wiped away by the strange flood that emanated as a result of torrential rain fall of Friday and Saturday.
Mr. Okafor pointed out that: “In our farms we rear Chickens for eggs production, we have two big fish ponds where we rear fish among others.
“I was called upon that heavy flood entered into my farm and I rushed down to the farm, by the time I entered I was shocked with the level of damage I met there. All the chickens over 2000 were killed by the flood; the bags of feeds that I stocked were already gone.
“Not only that, my two big fish ponds with different levels of fishes ready to be harvested over 2000 were also swept away and those fishes escaped and the farm is completely empty now.
He therefore called on both Federal and State Governments to come to his aid over incalculable damage that flood perpetrated in the area on Saturday as the state witnessed heavy down pour.
Also speaking the Olurese of Irese, Oba Destiny Ahmed Saka appreciated the Acting Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his personal visit to the community on Saturday.
“Today Monday 26th the officers from NEMA and SEMA came to access the level of damage incurred by the people of the community, as a matter of fact many of them have been rendered homeless and many other have their businesses paralyzed.
“I will like to use this opportunity to appeal to government at all levels to come and help the people of the community to cushion the negative effects of the incident.
Olurese also used the medium to appeal to all the residents of the community and beyond to avoid dumping refuse on the water way stressing that it is always hindering free flow of water.
Also in his comment, Councilor Ward 10 in Akure South, Hon. Isaiah Oluyi said dredging, proper channelization and constant maintenance of the waterways would provide lasting solution to incessant flooding in the state.
The Assistant Training Officer from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),Mrs. Folusho Aladetimehin said many of the affected residents whose houses were built closer to carnal have been advised to relocate stressing that rain can still fall in a higher degree before the end of the year.
On his part, the State Emergency Desk Officer, from State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Mr. Ayesan Kehinde, said: “We have been told since January that there would be flood this year. We rain lasted 17 hours on Saturday and we received calls from different places like FUTA, Ayedun, Ehin Ala, Araromi and Irese here in Ifedore.
“The Acting Governor Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa came with us to ascertain the level of damage recorded and immediately he ordered the ZLP to move in and dredge the water ways and urged those who build house of the water course to relocate for their safety.
The two agencies visited Irese, Ore-Ofe, Ayedun, Ehin Ala and Araromi Areas on Monday for the proper documentation and recommendation for those that were affected.