Benue State Government, through the Benue State Agro-Climatic Watershed Management Agency, has commenced further interventions aimed at permanently ending the recurring flood disasters experienced in parts of the state.
The Commissioner, Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, in a statement on Saturday, said Benue State Construction work will soon commence on a 20 meter wide major drainage network designed to channel flood water running from Welfare Quarters to Achusah, and continuing from Achusah through Mopol Barracks down to the Industrial Layout where it will discharge into the river.
Feeding into this main channel will be a network of drainages, beginning from the mechanic workshop around Welfare Quarters, running through the Achusah area; and another drainage beginning from the Peugeot Company along Otukpo road, through Navy Road, to Kids Authority Schools, linking up through Hotel Lucia road to Achusah.
All streets within Achusah and its environs will be captured under this scheme, with drainages constructed to link every affected street to the 20-metre wide main channel that empties into the River Benue.
This will connect existing drainages to the river and put a permanent stop to the recurring floods in the affected areas.
This intervention was disclosed during an on-the-spot inspection and assessment of the flash floods around Achusah, in Makurdi LGA.
The inspection team comprised of Hon. Chief Solomon Iorpev, Commissioner for Information and Orientation; Hon. Roy Ashirga, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development; Hon. Odoh Ugwu, Commissioner for Water Resources; and Hon. Kuma Aii Yenge, Commissioner for Works; and Mr. Ter Mede, General Manager, Urban Development Board.
Preliminary work has already commenced on the project, and mapping of the affected areas has been completed. The process will include the demolition of houses built on waterways within the affected areas. These measures are being undertaken in the interest of residents in particular, and the state at large.
The Benue State Government wishes to reassure residents of the unwavering commitment of the Alia-led administration to permanently ending flooding across the state.
