From Attah Ede, Makurdi
More than 3,000 houses, including churches, schools, eateries and bars, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have been ravaged and submerged by floods following a heavy downpour.
Heavy rains lasting over eight hours lashed the city overnight into the early hours of Monday, resulting in severe flooding in areas behind the Methodist Church, Owner Occupier Estate on George Akume Way, New GRA, Radio Benue, Nyiman, Idye and Naka Road.
Other hard-hit areas include Achusa, North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Tilley Gyado, Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum, Wadata and areas behind the Customary Court, with several household items and foodstuffs damaged by the flood.
Most of the floodwater reportedly emanated from ongoing road construction projects and uncompleted drainage channels, which overflowed into the affected areas of the town.
Apart from the many residential houses affected, churches, schools, eateries and bars were also flooded, while many commuters were stranded.
Our correspondent, who monitored the situation, observed that residential buildings and eateries located around construction sites and near riverbanks were badly affected as floodwaters took over streets and homes.
In the Idye and Old Otukpo Road areas, flooded streets became impassable as residents called on the state government to hasten the ongoing road and drainage construction projects, saying they could no longer access the roads, particularly during the rainy season.
One resident, who spoke to our correspondent, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for addressing the issue of perennial flooding through the construction of roads and drainage channels in the affected areas.
The resident, however, urged the governor to immediately direct contractors to open some of the channels blocked by construction activities to allow the free flow of water.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the resident said the indiscriminate closure of roads and streets had contributed significantly to the flooding currently being experienced.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, and other officials of the agency were unsuccessful.
