Benue State Government has directed residents in flood-prone areas to vacate those settlements to safer places as precautionary measures to anticipated flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)
The directive followed a recent flood alert by NiMet which identified Benue as one among states vulnerable to flooding in the coming months.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr James Iorpuu gave the order during the flag-off of food and non-food relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and other vulnerable groups comprising 18,592 persons from 4,648 households in renewed attacks on the farming communities in the State.
Iorpuu said among those displaced were 8,650 women, 4,147 men, 5,795 children, 325 pregnant women, 637 breast feeding mothers, 2,315-persons with disabilities and 571 elderly persons currently talking refuge at the NKST Primary School and Calvin Foundation College all in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West local government area.
Dr Iorpuu, who was represented by the Director of Administration, Dr Donald Komgbenda, who is also the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) informed that the distribution which commenced on Monday at Mbayongo mega camp and Apa LG was part of the state government’s commitment to alleviate the sufferings of the displaced population.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his tireless commitment and proactive efforts in addressing the security challenges confronting the state.
He also lauded President Bola Tinubu for taking decisive and proactive steps in addressing security issues in the state, especially by directing the Chief of Army Staff to relocate to Benue State.
He further noted that the singular move demonstrated commitment towards restoring peace and security to troubled communities.
“I want to use this occasion to re-echo the flood warning by NiMet, which listed Benue State as one of the high-risk areas likely to experience flooding in the coming months.
“So, I am appealing to citizens especially those living in flood- prone communities to begin early preparations and move to higher and safer grounds.”
He assured that the agency will continue to sensitise the public and put in place contingency plans in case of any emergency.
Dr. Iorpuu called on partners, stakeholders and the general public to continue to support the efforts of the agency to bring relief, dignity and eventual resettlement to the displaced population, urging the people to work together in solidarity until peace is fully restored for those displaced to return to their ancestral homes.
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