The Benue State government has said it will open up blocked water channels to avert flooding in the state.
The Commissioner for Cooperatives, Urban and Rural Development, Hon. Joy Luga, stated this during a tour of flood prone areas to ascertain the level of havoc caused by recent heavy rains in the state.
According to her, the incidence of flooding is a global phenomenon that is not peculiar to Benue State.
Luga warned against erection of houses on water channels and advised residents to always seek approval from the Urban Development Board before embarking on any building project.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Urban Development Board, Town Planner Mede informed the commissioner that many parts of the urban area are flooded due to residents’ failure to adhere to the directives of the board.
He therefore called on members of the public to always build according to specifications and directives.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the LandLords Association in Kanshio, Mr Timothy Audu, informed the commissioner that the community is willing to cooperate with the ministry to open up the blocked water channels.
The commissioner visited several places within Makurdi township to inspect the effect of the heavy downpour in the area.
