The Benue State Government has cautioned residents, particularly those living in flood-prone and riverine communities, to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against anticipated flash floods across parts of the state.
The warning came as the State Executive Council 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.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Iorpev was accompanied 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.
On the flood warning, the commissioner urged residents, especially those in flood-prone and riverine communities, to remain alert as water levels in the River Benue continue to rise.
He also appealed to residents of Makurdi and other urban centres to stop dumping refuse in drainage channels and waterways, warning that blocked drainage systems could worsen the impact of flooding.
On the National Food City Project, Kpenkaan said the initiative 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.
He said the project would be implemented in three phases across more than 30,000 hectares of land.
According to him, the first phase would cover 12,000 hectares across parts of Otukpo, Ado and Obi Local Government Areas and is expected to mobilise about 40,000 agro-farmers to supply primary raw materials, including rice, cassava, maize and livestock feed.
Kpenkaan said the project was expected to create more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing significantly to the state’s food sufficiency programme.
He described the initiative 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, the Benue State Government will hold a 10 per cent equity stake, while five per cent will be allocated to the host community.
He noted that the project would operate under a 25-year concession, after which ownership is expected to be transferred fully to the state government.
Meanwhile, the State Executive Council also approved Benue State’s participation in the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SUB-WASH) project.
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 the state to assess the old and Greater Makurdi Water Works for possible expansion and improved water reticulation to new layouts within Makurdi.
He said similar interventions would be carried out at the Katsina-Ala and Otobi waterworks.
The commissioner 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 reduce the impact of flooding on communities.
