Flood Displaces over 110,000 People In Benue State, President Buhari Expresses Sympathy.

 The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said over 110,000 people in 24 communities including Makurdi were displaced by flood.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Boniface Ortese, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Wednesday that over 2, 769 households were also affected.

He explained that places affected included Achusa, Idye, Wurukum Market, Genabe, Industrial Layout, Demekpe, Wadata Market, Katungu, behind the Civil Service Commission, Agboughul-Wadata among others.
“In Achusa 200 houses were affected with 5,125 persons displaced. In Idye 217 houses were affected while 5,200 persons were displaced."
“Also, behind the Civil Service Commission 200 houses were submerged in flood and 5,777 persons were displaced."
“At Genabe, 200 houses were affected with 5,021 persons displaced, 218 houses around the Wurukum market were affected with 1,000 persons displaced, and at Wadata market150 houses were affected and 4,300 persons were displaced."

“Similarly at Industrial Layout, 69 houses were flooded and 4,310 persons displaced; Demekpe 111 houses were affected while 7,820 persons displaced,’’ the official said..
Ortese further said that 137 houses were flooded in Katungu with 6,031 persons displaced while at Agboughul-Wadata 201 houses were affected and 5,728 persons displaced.
He said that government was doing everything within its little resources to assist flood victims in the state.
Meanwhile, the state commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Mr Joseph Utsev has urged the Federal Government to include Benue among states to benefit from the N1.6 billion ecological intervention fund.
President Muhammadu Buhari who expresses sympathy with victims has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize personnel and resources to come to the aid of the victims of the flooding in Benue.
The President gave the directive in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Benue Radio Station, Wurukum Market and several other communities have been submerged occasioned by the heavy downpour in the state.
At least 100,000 persons were also displaced across 12 local government areas of the state as a result of the calamity.
However, President Buhari, who expressed great concern over the unfortunate incident in the state, said he would continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance with his directives on the incident.