No fewer than 100,000 persons have been displaced while property worth billions of naira destroyed in Makurdi and other Benue communities following torrential rainfall.
The rain which fell for three consecutive days started on Sunday, continued on Monday evening till Tuesday morning causing massive flooding in some local government areas including, Makurdi, the State capital, Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Buruku, Agatu and Guma.
It also caused huge damages to houses and livestock.
Our correspondent who visited some of the affected areas in Makurdi; Wadata, Wurukum, Idye, Akpehe and Gboko road, observed that some residents were stranded while others were seen removing their property from their flooded houses.
Mrs. Ruth Dooshima Emmanuel who owns a three bedroom apartment in Kucha Utebe along Gboko road, said she travelled out when information reached her that her house had been flooded.
“I had to hurry back only to discover that the entire house had been submerged by water. Because of my condition, I find it difficult to remove my belongings. Someone assisted me to do so. I have lost food stuffs and several other property”, she lamented.
Another resident, a 67 year old farmer,
Josephine Tongyi, expressed shock at the flooding, saying that it had never occurred at this period.
“In the past, the flood occures in September and quickly recedes, but this time it is happening in October. We thought the flood will not come again but the heavy down pour of many days resulted to this. I have lost food items, livestock and household equipment.
Mrs. Tongyi appealed to state government to assist them in any way possible.
The Dean, Students’ Affairs Benue State University, BSU), Prof. Joseph Kerker who owns a hostel accommodating over 25 students of the institution, lamented that the flood is occurring at a time the students are writing their examination, saying that it will affect them psychologically.
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“Since 2012 that we experienced flooding in this area, it has not occurred again. This is beyond my imagination. The students have been displaced at a time they are writing exams and it will really devastate them. I think government should do something about this”, he said.
A resident of Makurdi who did not want to be named also lamented the continuous flooding in the state saying she had long relocated from Kucha Utebe where she hitherto lived because of constant looding of her house.
She called on the state government to provide basic infrasttucture as layouts are opened saying most areas where the flood occured had no drainages to channel the water away from people’s homes.
Another resident, Terhemba Saachi and eight members of his family including an aged mother were completely displaced even as they lost several chicken and turkeys they were rearing to sell at Christmas season.
Speaking to newsmen on the development, State Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Dondo Ahire as well as the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Relief Management Agency, Sema, Emmanuel Shior said government is planning to commence camping of victims at the Makurdi International Market.
According to Shior, “we have prepared the place for them because we are hoping that the water will not stay for long. As soon as the water recedes, those who can return to their houses would do so and those who cannot, Government will assist them to get alternative places.”
