Residents Flee As River Benue Surges, Govt Promises To Set Up Camps

Benue state residents on Friday began to flee their homes in large numbers as flooding takes over many areas.

Choicereporters noted that several areas in Makurdi metropolis and communities in Logo, Agatu and Guma local government areas have been taken over by the flood.

Places such as parts of Wadata, Kutcha-Itebe, Gyado Villa, Ricemill and Wurukum among others around the banks of river Benue in Makurdi are also affected.

The Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Dr Godwin Oyiwona, told journalists in Makurdi that the flood had risen to a level of 11.1m on the seasonal flood guage on river Benue.

He recalled that in 2012 when the river overflew its banks, the level of the river had risen to 12m on the guage, adding that there was “real trouble.”

Oyiwona said some residents are refusing to leave their homes but others have been evacuated to safer places.

“Water level is increasing because of the increase in water level from the dam in Cameroun. We are encouraging people to leave the coastal areas to other safer areas.

“As at today, we work everywhere to distill drainages in town as part of measures to contain the water.

“We are going through the city and telling people to move. Some are moving, others are not moving. We are going round to tell people to come that we have place where they will be camped,” he said.

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