Flood displaces 120,000 people in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

More than 121,000 persons have been displaced from their homes while close to 4,000 houses have been reportedly submerged following a late night rains in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
The flood left in its wake destruction of bridges and culverts just as 25 areas, communities and settlements around the capital city have sacked.
Some of the areas affected include, Idye, Achusa, Logo, Wadata, Kucha Utebe, Genabe, Behind Civil Service Commission, Nyiman Layout, Uniagric Community, Behind Bem Hotel, Katungu Aboughoul Wadata, Moon Community, Behind GTB and Demekpe.
Others includes Wadata Old Prison, Breweries, Gyado Villa, New Kanshio Layout, Wurukum Market, Mobile Barracks, Welfare and BIPC Quarters.
Governor Samuel Ortom who embarked on an assessment tour of some of the affected area, lamented over the magnitude of the devastation and the losses suffered by residents.
Ortom said, “the rains of the last few days have brought untold hardship to majority of residents of Makurdi town as a result of the flood, it is unfortunate.”
“We have already set up a committee to assess the situation and liaise with the necessary agencies to manage the situation.
“We are also pleading with the Federal Government to come to our aid because the magnitude of what we have at hand is beyond the state government.”
He assured that the Idye Water Channel which was uncompleted in 2004, would be reviewed and completed.

from peoples daily