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Benue State Warns Residents Against Looming Floods

by admin on | 2026-09-04 17:18:10

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Benue State Warns Residents Against Looming  Floods

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama 

Benue State Government in North Central Nigeria has cautioned residents in flood-prone and riverine Communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against anticipated flash floods across parts of the state.

The caution comes as the state government also approved an agreement to facilitate the mobilisation of about N378 billion for the implementation of the National Food City Project at Ogyoma Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, disclosed this while briefing journalists as part of deliberations of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Chief Iorpev, was accompanied to the briefing by the Executive Secretary of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), Dr John Paul Kpenkaan, and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Sanitation and Climate Change, Mr Udo Ogwu.

He explained that the National Food City Project was designed to establish a major agricultural and processing complex that would move Benue’s agricultural sector from primary production to value addition and export.

On the flood warning, the Information Commissioner urged residents, particularly those living in flood-prone and riverine Communities, to take necessary precautions and remain alert to developments as the water levels in River Benue continue to increase.

He particularly appealed to residents of Makurdi and other urban centres to desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels and waterways, warning that blocked drainage systems were contributing to worsening the impact of flooding.

Providing more insight on the National Food City Project, the BENIPA Executive Secretary, Dr John Paul Kpenkaan, said the project would be implemented in three phases covering over 30,000 hectares of land.

He noted that the first phase would cover 12,000 hectares across parts of Otukpo, Ado and Obi Local Government Areas, with the facility expected to mobilise about 40,000 agro-farmers to supply primary raw materials such as rice, cassava, maize and livestock feed.

According to Kpenkaan, the project is expected to create more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, while contributing significantly to the state’s food sufficiency programme.

He described the project as a private-sector investment secured through the state government’s commitment to ease of doing business, due diligence and the creation of an enabling environment for local and foreign investors.

Under the agreement, Kpenkaan said the Benue State Government would hold a 10 per cent equity share, while five per cent would be allocated to the host community.

He added that the project would operate under a 25-year concession, after which ownership would be expected to be transferred fully to the state government.

Meanwhile, the State Executive Council also approved Benue State’s onboarding into the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SUB-WASH) project.

Commissioner Udo Ogwu said the programme was aimed at improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene across the state, while strengthening the water and sanitation system through legal and institutional reforms.

He said the initiative would also create opportunities for private-sector participation through Public-Private Partnership arrangements.

Ogwu disclosed that a SUB-WASH team was already in Benue State to assess the old and Greater Makurdi Water Works for possible expansion and improved reticulation to new layouts within Makurdi.

He said similar interventions, would be undertaken at the Katsina-Ala and Otobi waterworks.

He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to cooperate with government efforts to improve water infrastructure, strengthen sanitation and protect Communities from the effects of flooding.