The Community Relations Officer for Obudu Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Akwagiobe, has warned the people of the area against indiscriminate and uncontrolled burning of bushes for whatever purpose and more especially during this period of dry, hazy and chilly harmattan winds.
He also condemned in its totality the rate of incessant fire outbreaks in homes and business areas saying the devastating effect of such wild fire can adversely alter the entire life style of whosoever may be involved.
Akwagiobe stated this during an inspection to some of the affected areas that were engulfed by wildfire, where many acres of farm lands were completely burnt by the inferno, in order to ascertain the extent of destruction.
The affected farm produce which include: cocoa, yams, plantain, banana and many others were consumed by what is incidentally the most severe fire incident that has ever occurred in the area.
Communities most affected are the people of Kubong-Bette, Kutiang, Okorshie and Ibong-Begiaka and Nkerira respectively in Angiaba/Begiaka ward, Begiading ward and Utugwang Central.
The CRO further disclosed that unfavorable conditions at the scenes of the incidents occasioned by thick smoke has hampered effort to determine the actual extent of destruction.
He therefore called on both the National and State Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA/SEMA) respectively to come to the rescue as the destroyed farms are the only source of livelihood for affected communities.