July 24, (THEWILL) – The paramount Ruler of Tiv nation, Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh, Professor James Iorzua Ayatse, has assured the Technical Committee on the 2023 Flood of his royal support towards saving lives and property of his subjects in the event of the impending flood in Benue State.
The Tor Tiv, who is also the Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, made the pledge at his palace in Gboko when he received a delegation of the Technical Committee on the 2023 Flood constituted by Benue State Governor, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
He expressed his support for Governor Alia’s administration through the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) in providing both short and long-term solutions to this year’s impending flood, as predicted by relevant agencies that his domain will be affected.
The paramount Ruler reinstated his call to the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dredge the River Benue to provide a lasting solution to incessant flooding in the State.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), James Iorpuu, thanked the Tor Tiv for honouring their visit to his palace.
He informed the Tiv Paramount ruler about the impending flood in the State. The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) weather forecasts have warned that the impending flood of 2023 is going to be massive in the country, with Benue State falling within the states that will be highly affected.
The Acting BSEMA boss explained that about 22 Local Government Areas in the State are to be affected by the impending flood, explaining that it was on this concern that Governor Hyacinth Alia constituted a Technical Committee and directed them to work aggressively to avert the huge challenges that await the State.
He decried the level of human factors triggering flooding in the State, including indiscriminate dumping of wastes into gutters, and building structures on waterways among others, adding that the Technical Committee has since commenced its tasks to mitigate the high intensity of the impending flood.
The delegation, which is led by the Acting BSEMA boss, is drawn from line Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) partners, international and domestic partners as well as security outfits.
Meanwhile, the last torrential rainfall of last Friday, submerged Benue Links Park as many vehicles and documents were destroyed.
It was gathered that the expansion water tunnel under construction at the Benue Links Park to channel water to River Benue rather caused water to divert into the park.
Acting General Manager of Benue Links company, Mr Fanafa, who decried the situation, said the matter has been reported to the Benue State Urban Development Board for quick action.
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