Federal Government has commenced work on the construction of a multi-purpose dam upstream of River Dura in Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State to contain the heavy water that flows from that axis.
Gatekeepers News reports that Deputy Director of Hydrology at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike revealed this while assessing Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala highway, which was affected by overflow of River Dura that spilled onto the road on Saturday.
Umezulike noted that the flood was caused by continuous sediment deposits in the river, which have reduced its depth and capacity to hold water.
The deputy director added that the assessment team would evaluate the flood situation and report to the Ministry for immediate action.
He said, “Over time, many of our rivers have become shallow due to sediment deposits in the water channels, which reduces their capacity to contain water. Consequently, when there is even a small amount of rain, the channels can become overwhelmed, resulting in flooding.”
“Based on our observations, there is a need for a water reservoir upstream of the River Dura. In this regard, the ministry has already awarded a contract for the study and design of a multi-purpose dam that will help contain the water flowing from that axis.”
District Head of Mbaakura Ward, HRH Mathias Ager while speaking to journalists, said that the flood has also submerged homes, farms, and property in the area.
He noted that the level of water that overflows onto highway during rain shows the urgent need for the government to construct a dam to manage the water.
Ager appealed to Federal Government to rehabilitate the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala road, which is currently cut off near Abekwa settlement close to River Dura bridge.
The district head commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Benue’s sons to key positions, especially Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, urging them to continue supporting the president to succeed.
He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Tiv representatives in Tinubu’s administration to deliver and assured that they would not disappoint the country, the president, or the Tiv nation.
A youth named Levinus Tyodoo, who spoke at the site of the damaged road, urged Federal Government to rebuild the road to facilitate movement of motorists and transportation of farm produce.
Also, a motorist using the road, Terkimbi Atse lamented that he had spent two days on a section of the road that should have taken only ten minutes to traverse.
