Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the Federal
Government was seriously considering dredging the River Benue and constructing
drainages along the river banks to mitigate the effect of flooding in
Benue State.
Osinbajo stated this, on Wednesday, in Makurdi, while
in the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the recent flood which affected
21 out of the 23 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the Makurdi International Market where the
internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were currently being camped, the Vice
President noted that President Muhammadu Buhari was very concerned about the
flood and seeking ways to stop it once and for all.
His words, “We are here on behalf of the President who has
been very concerned about the flood and how to stop it once and for all and
that is why he is seeking for realistic solutions.”
While commending the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for putting in
place a befitting medical services at the IDP camp to cater for the medical
needs of the flood victims, Osinbajo assured those who were affected by the
flood of adequate attention by government.
Earlier in a welcome address, Governor Samuel Ortom
commended the Federal Government for the concern shown through the National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in rapidly responding to the flood situation
in Benue.
Ortom pointed out that aside from eight trucks of relief
materials earlier delivered to the state by the Federal Government, he was
aware that five more were still on the way.
He also thanked the Nasarawa State Government for donating
four trucks of relief materials to assist the state.
The governor, however, enjoined the Federal Government to
look beyond sending relief materials to the state by ensuring the dredging of
River Benue as well as the completion of the Wurukum-Idye River Basin-Assembly
Quarters Drainage system, which was started during the administration of former
Governor George Akume, but later abandoned, was completed.
By Rose Ejembi
