Flood wreaks havoc in Makurdi

In 2012 over 300,000 residents were affected by flood across the state.In the last few days, over 2000 homes have been affected by flood in different locations of Makurdi, the Benue state capital following incessant heavy rainfall.Many residents of the affected areas have evacuated their families and belongings to seek refuge with relatives in other […]

In 2012 over 300,000 residents were affected by flood across the state.
In the last few days, over 2000 homes have been affected by flood in different locations of Makurdi, the Benue state capital following incessant heavy rainfall.
Many residents of the affected areas have evacuated their families and belongings to seek refuge with relatives in other safer places in town while those who claimed to have no where to go stuck to trees around their vicinity.
Our correspondent who visited worst hit areas such as; Demekpe, Iniongun, Ijaha 2, behind zone 4 police headquarters, Egume street, Wadata, Judges Quarter and Wurukum observed the helplessness of the victims as some of them made efforts to salvage their properties already submerged in the water.
A retired civil servant, Slyvester Adikwu whose bungalow was taken over by the flood said that he has moved his family and properties to safer location while he sleeps on the roof of his cars parked in the compound to prevent thieves from carting away immovable belongings.
“I have evacuated my family and some properties. But, I hang around to guide my belongings that are immovable,” he said.
But, Daniel Ejigwo of Egume street said he had no money to rent another apartment for his family so they have to remain in the flood as they manage to get into their houses with the help of canoes.
“Over 100 residents are affected on this street, many of them have moved out to squat with friends but others like me who do not have anywhere to go, about five of us, still remain in our houses. You can see that the street is cut off, we use canoe to enter our homes,” Ejigwo noted.
Commenting on the development, Rev. Fr. Boniface Achabo of St. Joseph quasi parish in Demekpe, said most of his church members have been affected by the flood and that if the rainfall continues in the coming days, his church would also not be spared.
The clergy appealed to the state government to urgently come to the aid of the community just as he disclosed that the church has urged its displaced members to come take shelter in its premises.
When contacted, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Adikpo Agbatse said that government was aware of the development and doing something about it.
“We are monitoring the situation before we can make a public statement,” he maintained.