By uncovered.ng
Akure, Ondo State
Over N100 million was lost by the owner of Osky Integrated Nigeria Limited as several grown fishes were washed away by flooding on the farm.
Taking journalists round the farm at Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, the manager of the company, Mr. Akinola Oluwole disclosed that the disaster was caused by flooding when Benin-Owena river basin at Igbara-Oke overflowed its bank after a downpour.
He explained that the farm breeds catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Hetereobranchus bidorsalis) and their hybrids.
According to Mr. Akinola, the flooding swept in effluents and pollutants into the waterbody thereby contaminating the water, causing death of various species of fish farmed in the location.
The company is currently battling with the impact of the flooding to which it lost hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of fish.
Speaking further, the manager of Osky Integrated Nigeria Limited lamented that there were no provision for relief materials to cushion the effects of the disaster.
He expressed fear that there might be loss jobs due to the huge loss recorded by the company.
Mr. Akinola said: “To manage the situation, financial capacity for substantial quality raw materials would assist the organization in getting back on track to achieve its aim of tackling food insecurity and solving malnutrition.
“This disaster has revealed more than ever that food shortage and looming health disasters may be heightened as well as posing a threat to the livelihoods of farmers and farm folks if not mitigated accordingly.
“We don’t want to lay off our workers because of the unfortunate incident, but we are battling with the adverse effects of the disaster.
“We need assistance at this time of our business because the burden is heavy and difficult for us to bear.”
