In a bid to combat flooding, the Federal Government has said it awarded a contract for the study and design of a multi-purpose dam upstream of the River Dura in the Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State that would help contain the water flowing from that axis.
The Deputy Director of Hydrology at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike, disclosed this on Saturday while assessing the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala highway, which was affected by the overflow of the River Dura that spilt onto the road.
Umezulike stated that the flood was caused by continuous sediment deposits in the river, which have reduced its depth and capacity to hold water.
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He explained that the assessment team would evaluate the flood situation and report to the Minister for immediate action.
He said, “Over time, many of our rivers have become shallow due to sediment deposits in the water channels, which reduces their capacity to contain water. Consequently, when there is even a small amount of rain, the channels can become overwhelmed, resulting in flooding.
“Based on our observations, there is a need for a water reservoir upstream of the River Dura. In this regard, the ministry has already awarded a contract for the study and design of a multi-purpose dam that will help contain the water flowing from that axis.”
Speaking to newsmen, the District Head of Mbaakura Ward, HRH Mathias Ager, reported that the flood has also submerged homes, farms, and property in the area.
Ager indicated that the level of water that overflows onto the highway during rain demonstrates the urgent need for the government to construct a dam to manage the water.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala road, which is currently cut off near the Abekwa settlement close to the River Dura bridge.
The monarch commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Benue’s sons to key positions, particularly the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, urging them to continue supporting the president to succeed.
He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Tiv representatives in Tinubu’s administration to deliver, assuring that they would not disappoint the country, the president, or the Tiv nation.
A Benue youth, Levinus Tyodoo, who spoke at the site of the damaged road, urged the Federal Government to rebuild the road to facilitate the movement of motorists and the transportation of farm produce.
Additionally, a motorist using the road, Terkimbi Atse, lamented that he had spent two days on a section of the road that should have taken only ten minutes to traverse.