September 13, (THEWILL) – The Monday torrential downpour have wrecked havoc, as residents of Achusa, Wurukum and other parts of Makurdi town, are counting loses even in the wake of submerging houses.
Checks by THEWILL on Tuesday, reveal that the Media village at Achusa have no less than four journalists including George Okoh of ThisDay, Frank Ihyundu of Federal Information, Fidelis Otebe of Radio Benue and Henry Iyorkase, have their houses Submerged.
At the time of this report, water in the area remained stagnant, wondering what would happen if another rain fell.
George Okoh, while lamenting over the menace, called on the Government to take practical step towards finding a permanent solution rather than lip service.
“Year in year out, from the regime of governors George Akume, Gabriel Suswam and Samuel Ortom, no concrete steps were taken to address the potential flooding problem residents here are going through.”
According to him, what need to be done is to construct a drainage channel from the Peugeot Assembly office from Kanshio, down to River Benue, to avert further disaster.
A resident, Dr Joseph Gborikya, decried lack of drainages in the town, saying the two main streets in the area can easily pass as two of the worst in Makurdi.
“We have tried as residents, to make the roads passable, but to no effect. In fact, due to our frequent interventions, almost everyone on our streets has now become an engineer. Yet, we find ourselves in this unbearable situation.”
Another resident of the area, Mr Joseph Anwam, called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to impress on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release money for the completion of tunnel contract, awarded by the previous administration to channel water to River Benue.
Recalling his ordeal, a trader at Wurukum market, Emeka Eze, said he was alerted of water into his store at about 2:00 am. “Even though I came, mattresses, pillows and other goods were soaked with water and I have to wait till day break”.
The situation at the Owner Occupier quarters was no exception as the fence at BYNESTA College collapsed, while residents took advantage to gain entry into the premises and carted away bamboos and plants used in the buildings.
A rice miller at Wurukum, who gave her name as Madam Cephas Iorhemen, told THWILL that ten bags she milled on that fateful Monday, were soaked with water.
“I obtained a loan facility from a local serving scheme (Bam), to the tune of N300,000 but with the damage done, the hope of repayment now is an issue I have to contend with”.
She, therefore, called on governor Hyacinth Alia to come to their aide by giving victims compensation to sustain their businesses.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr Ogwu Odoh, could not be reached for his comment as at the time of filing this report.
Houses, Streets Submerged
