Twenty-two out of twenty-three local government areas of Benue State have been be affected by flood disaster in this year’s rainy season.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, revealed this when he visited the paramount ruler of the Tiv land, Tor Tiv Orcivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, in Gboko.
The SEMA boss, however, informed the monarch that the Governor Hycinth Alia-led administration has directed the agency to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the state to devise measures to mitigate the danger pose 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 sensitizing and creating awareness on the projected impact of flood to 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 out of the 23 local governments in the state particularly those along the coastal lines such as; 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 Prof James Ayatse, restated his call on the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to dredge River Benue to put to end the perennial challenge of flood that has continued to wreak havoc on the State during rainy seasons.
This is even as the Tor Tiv emphasised that the only solution to end the menace was by dredging the Benue River and construction of drainages for free flow of water.
The monarch commended SEMA for its foresight by taking proactive measures to mitigate the consequences posed yearly by flood in September and October.
He regretted that almost all the local governments in Benue are 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,” the monarch stated even as he cautioned residents against building houses on water channels which hampers the free flow of water thus resulting to flooding.
