BY OCHE OBANDE
ABUJA – The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has declared the Federal Government’s intentions to construct a dam at Dura in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State to control the overflow of water from River Katsina-Ala. Prof. UtsUtsavsclosed Ugbema, Buruku local government area of Benue State, during a team’s visit to assess the latest flood damage along the Makurdi-Katsina Ala highway, particularly around the Ugbema axis.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Hydrology, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike, who led a team from the ministry said already a contract for the design of the dam project has been awarded.
The Minister who attributed the flooding to climate change, assured that the challenges would be tackled.
Meanwhile, the District Head of Mbaakura, a community affected by the flood, Chief Mathias Ager, appealed to the Federal Government to make the dam project a reality to put an end to the perennial flooding in the area and expressed appreciation to the Minister for the proactive steps he has taken to address the problem.
Also speaking to Rainbow Newspaper correspondent, Emmanuel Akaakase a diver who plies the route regularly and was trapped in the flood water, appealed to the Federal government to facilitate the completion of the Makurdi, Gboko-Ugbema-Katsina-Ala road rehabilitation to ease the movement of human and farm produce.
He particularly appreciated the efforts of President Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Terlumun Utsev, for considering the plight of the people of Benue State.
The visit attracted a large number of community members who were in a jubilant mood, praising President Bola Tinubu for responding promptly to their predicament.
Recall that the recent rains in Benue have cut off the highway between the Dura and Abakwa settlements, leaving motorists who play the route in difficult situations.