Traders in Ogbaru Relief Main Market, along Asaba-Onitsha expressway, Anambra State are counting their losses following ravaging flood that battered the drainage channel, destroying the culvert that led to the market through the second gate.
The havoc wrecked by the deluge is so extensive that the pedestrian bridge across the expressway is under serious threat, while the concrete slab has totally collapsed with the earth crust surrounding the gutters being washed away.
Some of the affected traders, including Mr. Okechukwu Azigba, Mr. Uzoma Ogbufo and Mrs. Christiana Onovo, said their businesses are under serious threats, appealing to relevant authorities to come to their aid.
“We’ve been trading here for decades now and have been battling with the flood. But this year’s own is something else that if nothing is done, many of us will be forced out of business,” Azigba said.
Reacting on the development, President, Ogbaru Relief Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, recalled that the erosion began in 2022, adding that they had informed Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) and state government when they noticed a portion of the drainage was collapsing.
He said traders on their own, had carried out palliative works to reduce further devastation occasioned by the erosion, disclosing that over 1000 bags of sand slabs were committed to the collapsed portion of the drainage.
Describing the extent of the damage as beyond their capacity, Ochiogu appealed to government to come to their rescue as the damage is beyond their capacity and would wreak more havoc if urgent attention is not taken.
One of the patrons of the market, Mr. Anthony Achusi, confirmed the market leadership had written to relevant agencies but they were yet to receive response.
On his part, Assistant Secretary General of the market, Mr. Bukuno Agu described the erosion as alarming, calling for urgent intervention.
