Floods have destroyed no fewer than 30 shops at the Ogbaru Relief (Main) market in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.The surging floods, resulting from heavy rainfalls, also fell electric poles and uprooted underground cables, water borne pipes, among others.

The Caretaker Committee chairman, David Obidike, while addressing members of the market and journalists on Saturday, said the flood left in its trail gulley erosions and other damages.Obidike, flanked by a former chairman of the market, Victor Akirika, cried to the three tiers of government to come to their rescue.

He said, “Few nights ago, the chief security officer of the market called me and told me that devastating flood from Awada area had carried the market as the flood entered under the Sakamori (drainage) system in the market and uprooted it, thereby wrecking havoc in the market.

“The damages were much. About 30 shops were washed away with the wares in them while the electric armoured cables, big water borne pipe, and telephone cables buried underground were all exhumed and damaged by the flood.

“As I talk now, we are not sure of power supply for now. When the rainy season started and you can’t make a call, the market is in blackout and traders are using generating sets.

“Our market is now in danger because it is situated in the notorious Upper Iweka axis and 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 that his wares have been looted or stolen.

“I plead with the state government through the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. 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 damages done is beyond our financial capability.

“We are making this appeal because if the rains continue, more harm will be done to the market if nothing tangible is done.”While reacting, Akirika, said, “The flood has caused very huge gulley erosions 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 are seeing now is beyond the financial strength of the leadership of the market.

“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.”

The patron, Relief Market Traders Forum, Mr Andrew Oguine, lamented that the present situation is giving them sleepless night as their wares are in danger even as victims of the erosion menace called on the government and good spirited individuals and corporate bodies to come to their rescue.