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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
No fewer than 30 shops were washed away, electric poles, underground cables, water borehole pipes, among others exhumed by flood at Ogbaru relief (main) market in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Caretaker Committee Chairman, David Obidike, who was flanked by a former chairman of the market, Victor Nwawuzie Akirika, took his executive members and newsmen round the areas which the flood destroyed at the weekend.
He recalled that one of the nights, few days ego, the chief security officer of the market called him and told him that devastating flood from Awada area was ravaging the market as the flood entered under the Sakamori drainage system in the market and uprooted it, and wrecked havoc in the market.
“The damage was so much. About 10 shops were washed away with the wares in them, the electric armoured cables, big borehole pipes and telephone cables buried underground were all exhumed and damaged by the flood.
“As I talk now, we have not gotten power supply for a month since the rainy season started and you can’t make a call, the market is in blackout and traders are using generators.
“Our market is now in danger because it is situated in the notorious Upper Iweka axis. These hoodlums can easily come into the market through the damaged portions caused by the erosion menace.
“We thank God that we have watertight security outfit and since I assumed office as the chairman, nobody has reported his wares have been looted or stolen.
“I plead to our governor, Charles Soludo, and his Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Obinna Ngonadi, including the Federal Government and all the National Assembly members within Ogbaru federal constituency to come to our rescue as the extent of damage done is beyond our financial capability.
“We are making this appeal because if the rain comes again, more harm will be done to the market let alone if the rainy season is over and nothing tangible is done,” he said.
Reacting, Akirika said the flood has caused very huge devastating erosion sites that affected many shops and this problem started early this rainy season. If nothing is done to it before the end of the rainy season, it will sack everyone in the market.
“We urge our governor to come to our rescue. I remember I worked on a damaged portion when I was the chairman of the market, but what we see now is beyond the financial strength of the leadership of the market headed by a God-fearing man, Obidike.
“The flood is from Awada down to old Aba park and finally to the Ogbo Azu. The foot of the market fly-over between the relief market and Lagos park is gradually being touched by the erosion, so our governor and Federal Government should do something now before it becomes too late,” he said.
Patron of the Relief Market Traders’ Forum, Andrew Oguine, described Obidike as a selfless and Godly person who the state government fished out to handle the affairs of the market and urged the state government to assist him.
In their various remarks, the executive members that included Obieze Mmaduebuka and Dennis Okeke, lamented that the present situation as it concerned the flooding was giving them sleepless nights.
They called on the government and good spirited individuals and corporate bodies to come to their rescue.
