The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has warned residents living one kilometre away from the River Benue to relocate immediately to avert an imminent flood disaster.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Friday, said that the agency received an alert from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), indicating high chances of a five-day rainfall that might lead to devastating floods in the state.
Iorpuu listed areas at high risks as Udoma, Ugbokpo, Ugbokolo, Ukpiam, Otobi, Otukpo, Mbapa Makurdi, Gbajimba, Gogo and Abinsi.
He therefore stressed the need for all concerned to heed such warnings as it was in their best interest while assuring that his office with support from Governor Hyacinth Alia would leave no stone unturned to ensure citizens affected by disasters are always catered for.
The SEMA boss further listed designated camps where those in the high risk areas could immediately relocate.
He said that residents in Makurdi at Kanshio, Logo 1 and 2, Achussa, Judges Quarters, Behind Hotel Lucia and those residing around BSU should move to Makurdi International Markey along George Akume road.
While residents of Kucha Utebe, Brewery, Gyado Villa, Mu and Wurukum to immediately relocate to LGEA Primary School, Wurukum popularly known as “Suswam Thank You.”
He also advised the residents of RiceMill, Agboughu, Tionsha and Wadata to relocate to NKST Primary School in Wadata while those in North Bank should move to Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
Residents of Abinsi are to occupy LGEA Primary School Abinsi, and those in Gbajimba are urged to find their way to Government Secondary School, Gbajimba.
Iorpuu added that Otukpo residents in flood prone areas should move to Saint Francis premises in Otukpo while those in Agatu should relocate to Oweto.
Residents of Ugbokolo, Ogbokpo, Mbapa, Uikpam should all move to safer grounds close to them where they can be reached by the agency.
The SEMA head noted that the alerts and predictions were meant to prompt appropriate proactive measures to mitigate the menace of the human-induced and natural form of disaster in the state.
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