Abigail Ayuba, Abuja
On Thursday, the Federal Government approved the Idye flood control and dyke project in Nyiman, Makurdi, to combat perennial flooding and erosion in Benue State’s capital.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE, represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, His Excellency Senator George Akume FNIM, CON, at the official commissioning and handing over of the Idye River Basin Erosion Control/Hydraulic Drainage Project by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Makurdi, Benue State.
Remember that Benue State, particularly Makurdi, has been subjected to severe flooding almost every year, wreaking havoc on homes, farmlands, and properties, with significant economic consequences.
In The Honourable Minister, presenting the SGF’ remarks during the ceremonyIn
order to address this, a dyke that runs the length of 1.2 kilometers from the BIPC quarters to Naka Road in Makurdi has been built and completed by the Federal Government through the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, or N-HYPPADEC.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engineering Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, representing Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, performed the ceremony. He explained that the project was a part of the Federal Government’s efforts to address flooding and promote environmental conservation in Benue and other parts of Nigeria, which is why the Federal Government, through N-HYPPADEC, carried out a number of flood control projects in Makurdi, Koton Karfe in Kogi State that were about to be commissioned.
As far as he is concerned, the project is a brilliant example of what happens when local communities, businesses, government agencies, and all levels of government work together toward this common goal.
He expressed optimism that the project will save many people’s lives and means of subsistence in addition to the environment and infrastructure.
Sen. Akume urged the host communities to make sure the infrastructure is resilient and functional so that it can meet challenges in the future. He acknowledged the support of the government and people of Benue State in making sure the project was successfully completed.
He urged the people of Benue to keep praying and to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies and initiatives in order to reap additional rewards.
In light of the ongoing flooding in the region, Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, accompanied by Deputy Barrister Sam Odeh, said that the project was not only necessary but also a ray of hope. He also thanked the federal government for its support and the actions being taken to address flooding in Benue and other parts of the nation.
The event was attended by Ochi’doma Agabaidu HRM John Elaigwu Odogbo and a representative of Tor Tiv. The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC and the immediate past Chairman of the Commission, Barr Terfa Ityav, sent goodwill messages.
The Benue State government delegation, led by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Joseph Alkali and Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority Engr Mohammed Adra, welcomed the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, earlier at the Agan toll gate. He then drove to the Benue State Government House Makurdi, where he was received by the Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Odeh, before making his way to the event site.
Leave a Reply