The Benue State administration has enhanced its flood mitigation strategy by launching daily surveillance of river water levels to protect at-risk communities. Odoh Ugwu, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, confirmed this proactive approach during a press briefing in Makurdi on Tuesday. This initiative follows a week-long flood warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which flagged rising water levels in several states.
Ugwu stated that the state maintains its monitoring equipment annually to ensure readiness before the heavy rains arrive. By tracking these metrics, officials can determine exactly when residents in low-lying areas must relocate to higher ground for safety. Furthermore, the commissioner noted that infrastructure improvements, particularly the new drainage systems integrated into recent road construction projects in Makurdi, are expected to alleviate flooding in previously prone areas like Achusa.
To complement these engineering efforts, the government is working with urban planning agencies to clear buildings obstructing natural waterways. Ugwu also cautioned citizens against dumping waste in drainage channels, noting that such actions significantly exacerbate local flooding issues.
