Following the recent flood that submerged some parts of Rivers State, farmers in the state have vowed to stage a protest against relevant agencies whom they said have refused to help them.
This was one of the resolutions reached by the farmers at a meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Speaking with our correspondent, the State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Roland Brown said, “we are compiling records of farmers that were affected by this year’s flooding which will be sent to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for immediate intervention.
“Relevant agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency and others have refused to come to our aid despite all efforts made to reach them.
“Farmers have agreed to stage a protest against these agencies and to let the world know what we are going through as a result of flooding.”
Chief Brown said over two billion Naira worth of farm produce has been devastated by the flood while describing the four local government areas of Orashi region which include, Ahoada East and West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni respectively as worst hit by flooding.
He maintained that the situation has brought untold hardship on farmers, adding that food to eat is their major challenge.
There was a report of protest by youths of Orashi region in Port Harcourt over what they viewed as neglect by government to visit their flood-affected communities.
No fewer than nine lives have been claimed by flooding this year according to the people of Orashi region.
The flood which also affected major parts of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state and its environs has destroyed property worth of millions of Naira and had greatly affected the ease of doing business in the state.
