In view of the 2020 flood predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet which places Benue along with some other states of the federation at risk of flooding, Governor Samuel Ortom has urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to dredge the River Benue to be able to accommodate water from other channels to mitigate the threat.
Governor Ortom made the call at the Government House Makurdi during an advocacy visit by the Disaster Risk Reduction Team of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, led by its Director, Vincent Owan.
According to the Governor, if dredged, the River would also boost economic activities and contribute greatly to food security in the State and country at large.
He commended NEMA for prompt responses to disaster management in the State and country at large, even as he also commended the Agency for equitable distribution of fertilizer and appealed for the release of the remaining consignment, saying the commodity is key to food production.
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Director, Disaster Risk Reduction NEMA, Vincent Owan said 102 local government areas in 28 states in Nigeria fall within highly probable risk areas while 275 local government areas in 36 states including FCT fall within moderately probable flood risk areas.
He stated that according to NiMet predictions, highly probable flood risk areas in Benue include Makurdi, Guma, Logo, Gwer West, Logo, Ado, Kwande and Vandeikya Local Government Areas.
Owan appealed to the State Government to take necessary mitigative measures in addressing the impending flooding such as awareness creation, desilting of river channels and canals and prepositioning of relief materials for prompt response after the flood.
The team also acknowledged the quick response of the state emergencies through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, even as it presented a plague to the Governor as an honour in that regard.
