The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed the willingness of the Federal Government to the dredge River Benue in order to avert future flooding in Benue state.
Osinbajo made the disclosure when he visited the state on Wednesday to assess the destruction caused by flood. The Vice President who addressed the displaced persons at the International Market camp created by state government extended President Muhammadu Buhari’s sympathy to the people of the state.
He added that Federal Government was ready to provide succour for displaced persons and make life more comfortable for youths and other Nigerians.
Speaking earlier, the state Governor, Samuel Ortom while appreciating federal government for its prompt response, however, appealed for immediate dredging of River Benue to ease the yearly flooding in the state.
Ortom also pleaded for the provision of drainages as a permanent solution to the problem of flooding which he said had sacked many communities.
The governor who conducted the Vice President round some of the areas affected by flood, said state residents were happy with Federal Government’s response to the flood disaster which has rendered thousands of people homeless.
During the visit, Osinbajo inspected Idye stream which overflows its banks during the rainy season and flood Radio Benue and many parts of Makurdi.
Osinbajo also inspected the clinic established by the Air Force at the camp for displaced persons at the new modern market.
He was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh; the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, and the Director- General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Mustapha Maihaja.
