We Lost Fishes, Poultry, Others Worth Over N150m To Flood —Zinos Farm Operators

This week, our guest, Mrs. Ekpete Oghenefego, is the Chief Executive Officer of Zinos Farms located in Eshobo, Ugbolu, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

In this interview with CHRISTY ABOGHE, Oghene­jefo, who spoke on behalf of Mr. Solomon Ekpete and Mr. Eloho Ekpete, the Managing Director and major stakeholder, respectively, of Zinos Farms, lamented the ravaging flood that swept through the farm destorying produce worth over N150 million during the week. Excerpts

What is the extent of damage to your farm?

The whole problem started last Sunday night, at about 11pm, when I was called by my staff that floods have taken over our farms. Although it rained that day, which I was aware of, this kind of massive flood was not expected and we never had this experience since the existence of the farm. The flood that hap­pened few years ago was not as bad as this.

The massive flood came, broke the walls and barri­cades and overran the farms, leaving us with nothing as we lost virtually everything, both the fishes such as the hybrid and hetero species which we have reared for almost two years, some of which were almost 9 kg, 10 kg and even the fingerlings; our birds, the broilers, which we have raised up to two months, even the fish and chicken feeds which was supplied to us just few days, including our vehicles were submerged by the ravaging flood.

There was no room for rescue as the ugly incident occurred late in the night. Therefore, we lost over N150 million to the flood.

Prior to this time, what step did you take to secure your farm?

We had taken proactive measures to secure the in­vestment by bringing in swamp buggy tractor which was used to raise up our dikes, with the expectation that it will protect our farms.

Can you estimate the value of what you have lost?

The value of our loss is massive and like I said, is worth over N150 million.

Did you at any time borrow money for the busi­ness?

Yes, we did to ensure that we service a large market across the country. We went as far as borrowing from banks and individuals with interest, with the mindset of harvesting by September and pay back our loans.

What is the cost of each 10kg fishes you had?

The fishes, which run into thousands, were kept in the 18 ponds cost over N25, 000 per one. So, you can imagine the massive loss.

Now, what do you want government to do?

With the sizes of these fishes which we have trained for two years and lost to the flood, including the chicken in our poultry, we are appealing to govern­ment to come to our rescue by funding us to start business again, because we lost everything to the flood, in fact, we don’t know where to start from. We need government to come to our aid and come up with a measure to help us to secure our fishes.

Government should come to our aid to help us with money to clear up the loans running into over N100 million. We cannot leave business, you can see we have workers, we have families, so government should please help us to begin life again.

Also, we want government to help us dredge the Iy­iocha River, because if this river is dredged to the River Niger, once the flood comes, it will go straight into the river, but because it’s not dredged, it’s blocked half way. That’s why you see the pressure; because you can’t block water it must certainly find its way. That’s why the water even went to the streets as can you see.

The dredging of the River Niger will enable free flow passage of water and all the investments along the river bank will be saved.

Has the government assisted you in any way before now?

Yes, the last government came and gave us some inputs and we have done those harvests. But these ones that we lost now, there was no government assistance instead we went as far as borrowing from banks and friends with interest, very high interest for that matter, and very soon, the banks will come to collect their money, so how do we pay back.

We are seriously begging government to come to our aid so as to remain in business with the mindset that after these sales, we would be able to pay off the loans and the interest then start all over again.

What other challenges do you face as a farmer?

There are security threats to our farms; we had incidents when thieves broke into the farms and carted away farm produce and equipment. Although, we we’ve been able to manage that for some time, but if government can provide enough security to farm­ers by providing security devices such as cameras in the farms, the issue of farm theft will be a thing of the past.

Can you throw more light on this river you’re requesting government to dredge?

The Iyiocha River comes all the way from Akwukwu Igbo, every water empties itself into the river, from the river to the sea. So, when it rains in Edo State it passes through Akwukwu-Igbo and the water comes down this way. It finds its way to the River Niger, from the River Niger to the sea. So, if this river is dredged now, any water coming from Edo State to Akwukwu Igbo will find its way smoothly to the River Niger.

I know the River Niger can accommodate the vol­ume of water that comes down, but when the river is blocked in certain places that will cause all these damages that we have seen.

Have you made any formal request to govern­ment concerning this?

We are in the process of doing so, that is why we seek the support of the media to help us communicate it to the governor.

Although, we intend to reach out to the Ministry of Environment and others for help to enable us fumi­gate the farm. We need to disinfect the whole place now before we even go and start business again. We are also calling on all relevant authorities to please come to our aid.

Which message or advice do you have for fellow fishermen?

They should take proactive measures and should also listen to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) when they give prediction, we should not just say it has not happened, but ensure to take proac­tive measures to safeguard the farms from flooding. Whatever thing that affects farmers negatively has a way of affecting the society. And I strongly believe that our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is someone who has a good heart and who listens. I want to say that Delta State has what it takes to feed the entire South-South. I want to appeal to the gover­nor to look deeply into agriculture as it will take the youths off the streets. That will as well create more employment opportunities. As I speak, the farm has more than 10 workers which we had taken out of the streets and if agriculture is supported more youths will be taken out of the streets and it will help to reduce crime.

So, my appeal to Governor Oborevwori is to en­courage fish farming by as many Deltans as possible.

We are not just saying give us grants, but there are things that can be done that can make the whole scenarios of farming good.

Our candid appeal again is that we have lost over N150 million worth of fishes, chicken, vehicles among other things like fish feeds and equipment, but one thing is that we will not stop doing what we know best to do. But all we just need from government is just an encouragement to aid us with money so that we can be back to business.