The Federal Authorities has introduced that it has commenced work on the development of a multi-purpose dam upstream of the River Dura within the Buruku Native Authorities Space of Benue State to comprise the heavy water that flows from that axis.
The Deputy Director of Hydrology on the Federal Ministry of Water Assets and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike, disclosed this on Saturday whereas assessing the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala freeway, which was affected by the overflow of the River Dura that spilt onto the highway.
Umezulike acknowledged that the flood was attributable to steady sediment deposits within the river, which have decreased its depth and capability to carry water.
He defined that the evaluation crew would consider the flood state of affairs and report back to the Minister for quick motion.
He stated, “Over time, a lot of our rivers have turn into shallow attributable to sediment deposits within the water channels, which reduces their capability to comprise water. Consequently, when there may be even a small quantity of rain, the channels can turn into overwhelmed, leading to flooding.
“Primarily based on our observations, there’s a want for a water reservoir upstream of the River Dura. On this regard, the ministry has already awarded a contract for the examine and design of a multi-purpose dam that can assist comprise the water flowing from that axis.”
Chatting with journalists, the District Head of Mbaakura Ward, HRH Mathias Ager, reported that the flood has additionally submerged properties, farms, and property within the space.
Ager indicated that the extent of water that overflows onto the freeway throughout rain demonstrates the pressing want for the federal government to assemble a dam to handle the water.
He additionally appealed to the Federal Authorities to rehabilitate the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala highway, which is at present lower off close to the Abekwa settlement near the River Dura bridge.
The monarch recommended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Benue’s sons to key positions, significantly the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (SGF) and the Minister of Water Assets and Sanitation, urging them to proceed supporting the president to succeed.
He expressed confidence within the capabilities of the Tiv representatives in Tinubu’s administration to ship, assuring that they’d not disappoint the nation, the president, or the Tiv nation.
A Benue youth, Levinus Tyodoo, who spoke on the web site of the broken highway, urged the Federal Authorities to rebuild the highway to facilitate the motion of motorists and the transportation of farm produce.
Moreover, a motorist utilizing the highway, Terkimbi Atse, lamented that he had spent two days on a bit of the highway that ought to have taken solely ten minutes to traverse.
