Benue Govt. approves construction of Makurdi old bridge – Commissioner

Benue Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Emmanuel Manger, said the state government has approved the construction of the Makurdi old bridge road, to check flooding.

Manger, who is also the Chairman, State Committee on Erosion and Flood Control, disclosed this in Makurdi on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the state government’s approval for the construction of the road was a panacea to the annual flooding along the bank of River Benue.

NAN recalls that the State Executive Council on Monday set up a committee to make emergency arrangements to address flooding and identify areas where people had blocked drains and other water channels for subsequent relocation.

The commissioner, who did not disclose the distance of the road and cost implication, stated that the road was long overdue for construction, as vehicular movements were seriously obstructed.

“Commercial activities on the road across the river always suffer difficulties, especially the transportation of food stuff.

“We also observed that the absence of drainage channels on the old existing road was a major cause of flooding during the rainy season in the state, “ he said.

Manger said that the committee would ensure that other areas where people had blocked drains and other water channels obstructed were opened to allow free flow of water.