In the aftermath of flood which has destroyed properties in Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, during a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp (IDP) yesterday, stated that Federal Government would urgently dredge the River Benue and construct necessary drainage as a permanent solution to the flooding in the state.
“I am in the state at the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to carry out on the spot assessment of the areas affected by the ravaged flood and to sympathise with the victims, government and people of Benue State”
The Vice President said that the situation of flooding in the state as well as other States in the Country will be addressed by this administration, adding that the construction of drainage will also be done
“It has to be a partnership between local, state, and federal governments because this has become a perennial problem and we must put all hands on deck to address it”
In a related development, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who earlier visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp appreciated the Federal Government for responding promptly to the State’s distress call through provision of relief materials to victims of the disaster.
He revealed that aside the delivery of relief materials by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), neighbouring States like Nassarawa, alongside other philanthropists in the Country, have also assisted with relief materials.
However, the State Government appealed to the Federal Government to urgently complete the construction of the abandoned Idye, Wurukum and old Assembly Quarters drainages which was awarded in 2004 by George Akume’s administration at the cost of two billion naira through the World Bank Ecological Funds to CAD Nigeria Limited for the construction of water drainage channel that will control all the running waters down to River Benue.
