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Ortom orders residents of flood-prone areas to vacate

By Joseph Wantu, Makurdi
13 August 2016   |   4:02 am
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has directed those residing along the banks of Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala to vacate the areas in view of the imminent flood that might occur anytime.

Floods

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has directed those residing along the banks of Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala to vacate the areas in view of the imminent flood that might occur anytime.

Ortom, who gave the order yesterday while inspecting flood-prone areas, drainage channels and areas threatened by erosion in Makurdi, the state capital, further advised residents of Agatu, Guma, Makurdi, Buruku, Gwer West and Katsina-Ala Councils to heed to the warning.

He said even as the state government has taken steps towards avoiding the repeat of the 2012 flood disaster, those residing in flood- prone areas should not wait for the rivers to overflow their banks before moving out.

The governor warned residents of Makurdi and other towns against blocking drainage channels with empty water sachets and plastic containers, stressing that such negative attitudes make many areas to be prone to flooding.

Ortom said the state’s environmental sanitation agency has stepped up efforts in refuse collection and advised citizens to drop refuse at designated spots for collection.

He assured that his administration would continue with the preventive measures until Benue records a flood free-year.

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