July 03, (THEWILL) – The recent torrential downpour in Makurdi town has wreaked havoc as many residents including Correspondents of Leadership newspaper, Comrade Hembadoon Orsar, Henry Iyorkase of National Star and George Okoh, were among those counting losses in the process.
This is even as the Professor of Climatology at the Benue State University, Bernard Tyubee advocated the dredging of rivers Benue and Niger to end the perennial flooding in the county.
Recalling her experience, Comrade Orsar said that on that fateful Tuesday evening, she went to bed at about 9:00 pmand walked up by 3:30 am the following morning to observe a devotion but on stepping down her foot, she discovered water in the bedroom.
“When I put on the light, to my amazement, water had filled up the parlour, bedroom and kitchen. Six bags of rice, 1 bag of maize, 2 bags of cassava chips were all sucked in water.”
Speaking further, she said some sympathisers assisted in mopping the house but lack of sunshine is hampering efforts at drying chairs, mattresses and other foodstuff.
According to her, on daybreak, it was discovered that the rain had pulled down two fences in the neighbouring residence and blocked the drainage water channel which found its way on the road into their house at Zam Numa Avenue behind Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Makurdi.
At the Media village, Achusa, Henry Iyorkase of the National Star newspaper, stated that even with a high fence around his residence, water had taken over the entire compound destroying valuable items.
He stated that through community efforts, residents have been battling yearly to serve themselves without any serious government steps to curb flooding in the area, while George Okoh of THISDAY, also shared the same experience at the Media Village Achusa where his house is underwater when it rains.
They all called on the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), to visit the scene to assess the situation and to assist them in any way possible.
Professor Tyubee, who spoke on perennial flooding in the country, also challenged the Federal and Benue State Governments to provide critical infrastructure such as buffer Dams and drainages to curb flooding.
The Benue State University Don lamented the poor attitude of some residents, who are in the habit of dumping refuse in gutters and sued for a change of attitude for the good of all.
About the Author
