FG begins construction of multi-purpose dam in Benue to control River Dura flooding

Federal Government has commenced work on the construction of a multi-purpose dam upstream of River Dura in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State to contain the heavy water that comes from that axis.

The river, which has caused inconvenience for motorists, received government attention on Saturday as government officials paid a visit.

Deputy Director, Hydrology, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike while assessing the Makurdi- Gboko -Katsina-Ala highway on Saturday said that the overflow of river Dura which spilled on the road caused the damage.

Umezulike said the flood was caused by the continuous deposits of sediments into the river thereby reducing the depth of the river to hold much water.

He said the team would assess the flood situation and report to the Minister for immediate action.

According to him, “Overtime most of our rivers become shallow and sediments deposits on water channels so the capacity of the river to now contain water is reduced. So when there are small rains and water flows into the channels, then channels are overwhelmed and it results in flooding.

“From what we have seen here there is need for a water reservoir upstream of the river Dura and in that direction, the ministry has already awarded the contract for the study and design of a multi-purpose dam upstream of the river that will kind of contain the water that is coming from that axis.

Speaking to journalists, HRH, Mathias Ager, District Head of Mbaakura Ward, said the flood has also submerged their houses, farms and property.

Ager said the level of water that overflowed on the highway in the area anytime there was rains showed that there was every need for the government to build a dam to contain the water.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Makurdi- Gboko-Katsina -Ala road which has currently been cut off at Abekwa settlement close to the River Dura bridge.

The monarch commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Benue sons into key positions especially the SGF and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation and urged them to continue to support the president to succeed.

He said he believed in the capacity of the Tiv sons in the Tinubu administration to deliver adding that they would not disappoint the country, the president and the Tiv nation.

A Benue youth, Levinus Tyodoo who spoke at the spot of the damaged road, urged the FG to rebuild the road for easy movement of motorists and farm produce.

Also, a motorist plying the road, Terkimbi Atse said he had spent two days on the portion of the road that should have taken 10 minutes.

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