From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has raised the alarm over recent flooding in Makurdi, the state capital. The governor specifically pleaded with the Federal Government to come to the state’s rescue and warned that if urgent steps were not taken, the sad experience of 2012 may repeat itself.

In 2012, thousands of Makurdi residents were displaced, after many houses were submerged for several week, as a result of flooding.

The governor appealed to government to urgently intervene in the problem of flooding which has rendered many residents of Makurdi homeless.

Ortom made the appeal when he inspected flooded areas in the town, yesterday, and described the problem as overwhelming. He also lamented that the flood problem had arisen at the time his administration was facing challenges of salary payment.

The governor, however, called on those living in flood-prone areas across the state to relocate, just as he directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to seek means of assisting those who have been displaced.

The governor also directed that excavators should be used to create emergency water channels, pending federal government intervention and also, requested government to consider the release of ecological funds to Benue.

He frowned at building of houses on drainage channels and flood plains, stating that such structures would be demolished.

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During the inspection, Ortom visited Radio Benue transmission adjoining station which has been submerged by water and also went to Katsina-Ala Street and areas adjoining where displaced residents appealed for assistance.

At the streets behind the Benue Civil Service Commission, Ortom was told that a contractor was given about N1 billion to provide drainage channels but absconded.He said the matter was being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Meanwhile, the governor has constituted a committee to sensitise herdsmen and farmers on the implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, deadline for its implementation in November draws near.

Ortom announced composition of the committee at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue People’s House in Makurdi, during a meeting with traditional rulers, security council as well as herdsmen and council chairmen across the state.

He said sensitisation of stakeholders on the components of the law was necessary to create better understanding and to ensure its peaceful and effective implementation.

The committee, which comprises Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on herdsmen and farmers, representatives of herdsmen as well as relevant security agencies is to be mobilised to carry out sensitisation on the importance of the law.

According to him, the mandate of the committee, apart from sensitisation, include identification of alien herdsmen and cattle rustlers, stressing that cattle rustling was a serious crime which is punishable in accordance with the present law.