A joint team of Benue State Commissioners, acting on the instructions of Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has undertaken an on-the-spot assessment of the Achusa area of Makurdi where flooding has ravaged houses and destroyed property.
The team comprised the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev; the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Hon. Odu Ogwu; the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Aii Yenge; the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Ter Iyayighgba; the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Roy Ashirga; and the General Manager of the Urban Development Board.
Speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment sympathized with residents whose property was destroyed. He attributed the problem mainly to people who develop without proper approval from the Urban Development Board, whose duty it is to check such developments before they are carried out. He added that the state government is moving fast to address the ugly incident.
The General Manager of the Urban Development Board stated that most of the houses built on waterways have been marked for demolition, noting that compensation will be paid only to those who possess the right building approvals from the Board.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon. Aii Yenge, said the Benue State Government is acting proactively by constructing major drainages and streets to prevent such occurrences in the future. He debunked claims by some residents that the flood in Achusa was caused by the major streets currently being constructed under the Alia administration.
