Flood To Affect 473,000 Benue Residents, SEMA Warns

No fewer than 473,000 residents in Benue State are estimated to be affected by flooding this year.

The executive secretary of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) James Iorpuu who stated this when he visited the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation said out of the projected number, women and girls would constitute about 49. 7 percent representing 235, 081 persons while men and boys constitute 237, 919.

The SEMA boss informed the Begh u Tiv that Governor Hyacinth Alia -led administration has directed the agency to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the state to evolve measures to mitigate the danger posed by flooding.

According to him, “The traditional institution plays key roles in the development of the society hence the decision to pay homage and solicit collaboration in sensitising and creating awareness on the projected impact of flood on the communities affected and provide spaces and community resources such as water, markets and primary health care for them.”

 He said, “This year’s flood alert projected to affect 22 of the 23 local government areas in the state, particularly those along the coastal lines like Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Buruku, Agatu, Katsina Ala and parts of Gboko, will be worse hit.”

In his remarks, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Orcivirigh James  Ayatse restated his call on the federal government to fulfill its promise to dredge River Benue to put an end to the perennial challenge of flooding that has continued to wreak havoc on the state during rainy season.

This is even as the Tor Tiv emphasised that the only solution to end the menace is by dredging the river and construction of drainages for free flow of water.

The monarch commended SEMA for taking measures to mitigate the consequences posed yearly by floods in September and October.

He regretted that almost all the local governments in Benue were affected by the flood and lauded Governor Hyacinth  Alia for his proactive steps ahead of the pending disaster.

“I want to assure SEMA of the full support of Benue State traditional institution by embarking on massive sensitisation of Benue citizens to adhere to the warning and plans by the state government to avert the disaster,” he said. He cautioned them against building houses on water channels which hampers the free flow of water thus resulting to flooding.