Benue Government Begins Demolition of Buildings on Waterways to Prevent Flooding

The Benue State Government has commenced the demolition of illegal structures built on waterways across Makurdi and other parts of the state as part of proactive measures to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, disclosed this in a statement, emphasizing that the exercise had already started at the Mechanic Village in Kanshio Welfare Quarters of Makurdi and would extend to other flood-prone areas of the state.

Kunde explained that the demolition was part of the government’s broader flood mitigation strategy, aimed at ensuring the free flow of water during heavy rainfall to avert disasters similar to those experienced in previous years.

“We are working on contingency and resettlement plans in the next two weeks,” he said. “I will be traveling to Burkina Faso next week to learn their model for resettlement of flood victims and other areas of security, humanitarian and development so that we can work on our own model.”

The commissioner added that once the state government develops its model, a comprehensive roadmap for flood control and disaster response will be introduced.

“Those who built on waterways, their houses will be demolished. We have already started demolition at the Mechanic Village in Kanshio, Welfare Quarters, and other parts of the state to ensure that when rain falls, there will be easy passage for it,” Kunde explained.

Speaking further, he revealed that the state had written to the Federal Government regarding the dredging of River Benue, noting that accumulated sand and debris had reduced the river’s depth, increasing the risk of overflow.

“The river has been overflowed by sand, and when the dredging is done, the depth of the river can hold water such that even if the Lagdo Dam is opened, it can carry it and this issue of flooding will be put to rest,” he stated.

The Benue government’s move comes as part of efforts to safeguard lives and property and strengthen disaster management systems ahead of the heavy rainfall forecasted in parts of the state.