SEMA ISSUES FLOOD WARNING FOR 473,000 BENUE RESIDENTS

Tunji Wusu –

This year’s flooding in Benue State is predicted to harm no less than 473,000 people.

When he visited the Tiv nation’s supreme ruler, James Iorpuu, executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said this: “Of the projected number, women and girls would constitute approximately 49. 7 percent, representing 235, 081 persons, while men and boys constitute 237, 919.”

The head of SEMA notified the Begh u Tiv that the administration led by Governor Hyacinth Alia had instructed the organization to work with pertinent state stakeholders to develop ways to alleviate the danger posed by flooding.

He claims that “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 on the affected communities and provide spaces and community resources such as water, markets, and primary health care for them.”

In his words, “This year’s flood alert projected to affect 22 of the 23 local government areas in the state, particularly those along the coastal lines like Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Buruku, Agatu, Katsina Ala and parts of Gboko, will be worse hit.”

Orcivirigh James Ayatse, the supreme head of the Tiv people, reiterated in his remarks his plea for the federal government to follow through on its pledge to dredge the River Benue and address the state’s ongoing struggle with flooding during the rainy season.

The Tor Tiv emphasized that dredging the river and building drainage systems to allow for free flow of water are the only ways to stop the threat.

The monarch praised SEMA for taking action to lessen the effects of the seasonal floods that occur in September and October.

He expressed regret that nearly all of Benue’s local governments were impacted by the flood and praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for taking preventive action in front of the impending calamity.

By launching a large campaign of public education to encourage Benue residents to heed the warning and follow the state government’s measures to avert the calamity, he sought to reassure SEMA of the full backing of the state’s traditional institutions. He warned them against putting homes on waterways because doing so would restrict the water’s ability to flow freely and cause flooding.