An Anambra businessman and prominent opinion leader, Chief David Edochie Onuora, has called on the Federal Government, state governments, public spirited organisations and individuals to immediately come to the rescue of the victims of flood in the country.
Chief Onuora also raised alarm over looming food crisis in the country if the federal and various State Governments fail to take drastic action to ameliorate the impact of the flooding.
Making the call yesterday after visiting five Internally Displaced Persons ((IDPs) camps in Anambra State, Chief Onuora expressed grief over the pathetic plight of displaced people especially children, pregnant and nursing mothers.
The businessman who donated cash, food items and other materials worth several millions of naira when he visited Crowther Memorial Primary School, Onitsha, where over one thousand persons are staying, Nneyi Umueri IDP Camp, housing over one thousand five hundred persons, Udeabor Umueri IDP Camp, Community Primary School Umuoba IDP Camp and Father Joseph IDP Camp, Aguleri.
He said that there is compelling need for all to put their hands on deck to provide immediate needs of the displaced persons, noting that farmers living in riverine communities have been hard hit, as such, the issue at stake now should not be treated lightly.
Chief Onuora who spoke at Anambra West Local Government Area explained that farmers lost virtually all they had to flood and needed urgent intervention from both state and federal governments as well as public spirited organisations and individuals in order to enable them return back to farm immediately the flood subsides and commence next farming season which starts this November in order to produce enough food for the nation, next year.
He said this has become imperative because farmers needed to buy yam seedlings and cassava stems for next farming season which would kick-start by November ending.
Pointing out that if nothing was done, the flood victims would not recover from the traumatic experience soon, the business man had while speaking on devastating impact of flood said that supporting the flood victims could mean one of the ways to ensure that the country continues to survive food scarcity.
Therefore, until government see reasons to embark on holistic support for the farmers, serious food crisis would hit the country next year.
He opined that suggestions about the dredging of the River Niger is good but it should be part of a long term plan.
“What victims want now is the immediate response or solution to their resettlement and looming food crisis.” He concluded.
