FG Begins Construction of Dams To Mitigate Flooding in Nigeria

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,, Senator George Akume, on Thursday, said that federal government has began construction of dams across the country with Benue State inclusive.

Akume who disclosed this while commissioning the second phase of the Idye flood control/Dyke project Nyiman, Makurdi Benue State, said the building of the dams would address water needs of Nigerians and mitigate impacts of flooding across the States.

Represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, explained that water is life, which is why President Bola Tinubu has put all measures in place through the ministry of water resources and sanitation to provide water infrastructure across Nigeria.

“Mr. President is building a Nigeria where everybody is involved. That is why in his renewed hope agenda, he mentioned inclusivity as one of his eight point priorities of his government.

“For years, the residents of Makurdi and other parts of Benue State have endured annual flooding that has consumed thousands of homes and farmlands, displacing numerous families.

“It is my hope that this project being commissioned today will rekindle the hope of our people in the administration of President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

Earlier in his remark, the Managing Director, National Hydro-Electric Power Product Areas Development Commission(N-HYPPADEC), Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, lamented that Benue floods were even more tragic in recent times.

According to him, in 2022, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency reported that the floods consumed about 18,349 houses and farmlands, displacing a total of 134,797 people, noting that this staggering impact shows the urgent need to take decisive action to safeguard the communities and the livelihoods of people in the State.

Yelwa stated that successive governments at both federal and state levels have made frantic efforts to manage this crisis and mitigate its impact on the people and the environment.

“For example, the Federal Government had previously spent about N700 million on the Idye Basin flood control project in Makurdi. The Benue State Government has also recognised the need for proactive measures, carrying out various projects to reduce the impact of climate change and flooding.

“Despite these efforts, floods and erosion have persisted in many parts of the State whenever heavy rains fall. This shows the gravity of the problem and suggests that the problem can only be solved through a series of sustained projects.

“Today, we stand to celebrate the completion of one of the contributions of the Federal Government through the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) by commissioning the Idye Flood Control/Dyke Project, which spans an impressive 1.2 kilometers.

“This project, supplemented by an additional excavation of 2.5 kilometers to salvage the lower basin of the community, is a significant investment of approximately 1.2 Billion Naira. I believe this project is worth this amount because of its importance in safeguarding the environment and protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people”, Yelwa alluded.

The Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia commended the federal government for the timely completion of the project.

Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy, Sam Odeh regretted that the geographical location and climate condition of the state make Benue susceptible to seasonal flooding and erosion.

He said, “These environmental challenges threaten not only our agricultural productivity but also safety and livelihoods of our people.

“In this context, the Idye flood control/dyke project is not just a necessity but a beacon of hope for our countries”:he stressed.