The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue

  • Flood: Osinbajo arrives Benue

    Flood: Osinbajo arrives Benue

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has arrived Markudi, Benue State capital to inspect the flooded areas.

    The International Market camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Makurdi has so far registered 4,775 persons, the Camp Manager, Mr James Iorhuna, said.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Makurdi that the camp was in compliance with international standards.

    The camp was set up following flood which displaced more than 100,000 persons in Benue and affected
    21 local governments.

    Iorhuna said a total number of 4,775 persons, including children, women and men were so far registered at the camp.

    He added that “we have so far registered 1,387 male children, 1,349 female children, 531 men, 642 women,
    585 children under the age of five, 92 pregnant women, 115 nursing mothers and 74 physically challenged persons.”

    The camp manager said UNICEF had already provided water and 40 toilets at the camp, while other basic needs of the IDPs were being met.

    Mrs Joy Leva, a mother of twins living at the camp, appealed to government, donor agencies and individuals to assist her in feeding the children.

    Leva, however, said that her children who were suffering from catarrh as a result of the flood and their stay in the camp were responding to treatment after being attended to by medical team at the camp.

    She added that “I have four children in all out of which two are twins. We were first displaced from the Airforce area as a result of the Jukun/Tiv crisis few months ago before we relocated to Gyado villa where our house was flooded.

    “We were sleeping when the incident occurred and we were unable to take anything out of our thatch house before it collapsed.

    “At the moment, the only thing we have were items giving to us by camp officials.

    “My husband works as labourer, while I have no hand work. I want to appeal to government to help me in feeding my children as I am overwhelmed with the situation.” (NAN)

     

    Osinbajo in Benue to inspect the flood
  • Air Force treats 200 IDP’s in Benue

    Air Force treats 200 IDP’s in Benue

    The Nigerian Air Force has administered free treatment to no fewer than 200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the flood in Benue.

    Squadron Leader Jeremiah Amase, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi that some of the patients were suffering from hypertension, Malaria, diarrhea, upper and lower respiratory infections among others.

    The Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, had earlier inaugurated the “Medical Outreach Programme” to assist IDPs as part of the Nigerian Airforce’s ( NAF ) social responsibility to the people of the state.

    Amase explained that the over 200 patients attended to responded to treatment.

    He said that the clinic had not received any case beyond the medical team’s capability and commended the efforts of medical doctors from the Benue State University Makurdi for their collaboration.

    He, however, disclosed that the major challenge facing the camp was lack of water and poor sanitation system which he said was being addressed.

    NAN reports that the NAF is collaborating with the State Government, UNICEF and other international and local organisations to assist the flood victims.

  • Makurdi: NAF provides medical assistance to flood victims

    Makurdi: NAF provides medical assistance to flood victims

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday, inaugurated medical assistance programme to meet the medical needs of the recent flood victims in Makurdi, Benue.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    According to Adesanya, the programme was inaugurated by Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC) of NAF, AVM MA Idris.

    He said the programme was part of the Command’s corporate social responsibility and was borne out of the desire to contribute to the medical needs of the flood victims.

    Adesanya said that Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue thanked NAF for its assistance to the state, especially in the area of humanitarian services in the country.

    “A few days ago, following a downpour, many houses in Makurdi were submerged in flood water.

    “The persons affected by the flood were rendered homeless and several medical casualties were recorded.

    “Thousands of victims of the flood were accommodated at the Makurdi International Market, where NAF medical outpost programme was inaugurated,” he quoted Ortom as saying.

    The director recalled that NAF also recently transported the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other officials to Makurdi in response to a Presidential directive.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed the Medical Services Branch of NAF to provide more drugs and deploy more medical personnel to complement the efforts of the command.

  • Flood: PDP advises FG to be more proactive

    Flood: PDP advises FG to be more proactive

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on state and federal governments to be more proactive to curtail flood disaster in the country.

    A statement by the party’s Head, Publicity Division Administration, Chinwe Nnorom, for the National Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja, said the party expressed its sympathy with government and people of Benue over recent devastating flood.

    She said that the party urged all agencies of government whose duty it was to provide emergency services to do so promptly to
    save lives.

    She stated that “we call on both the state and Federal Government to be more proactive by taking adequate steps to put in place mechanisms that will curtail such level of disaster in other flood-prone areas across the country.

    “We pray for the souls of all those that lost their lives to rest in perfect peace and condole with affected families to bear this irreparable loss.”

    Flood ravaged communities in Benue last week, where villages, farmlands and food storage facilities were washed away and many displaced.

    Two camps have already been opened in Makurdi to ensure that the displaced persons have shelter and received assistance as chairmen of the 23 local government areas were directed to use some primary schools as designated camps for affected victims in their areas.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had immediately directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to support persons affected by the flood.

    The flood submerged two major bridges on River Guma at Tor Kpande, and Mande Ortom.

    Some 11 bridges and culverts were submerged, while the worst hit communities included Tse-Adorogo, Tse-Igba, Tse-Akor, Tse-Terzar, Tse-Abi, Tor Kpande and some villages on the stretch between Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi and Gbajimba, the local government council headquarters.

  • Social media frustrating Benue’s industrial growth – commissioner

    The Benue government said on Saturday that incessant attacks hurled through the social media were painting the state in bad light and discouraging investors from patronising it.

    “The social media attacks have been very severe; they paint Benue in bad light and discourage investors from coming in,” Mr Lawrence Onoja Jr., Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said in Makurdi.

    Onoja Jr. said that the negative comments posted on the social media were “mischievous tales” targeted at discouraging investors from investing into government’s agriculture-driven industrialization.

    “Sometimes what you read in the social media amazes one; how can one deliberately plant lies just to pull down his own state government and stall its growth?

    “`The situation is regrettable and simply sad. Government works very hard, but its opponents keep discrediting it,” he fumed.

    He, however, said that the Gov Samuel Ortom-led administration would not be discouraged by “such mischief makers and rumour mangers”.

    The commissioner said that government was planning an Information Summit that would deal with the menace of the social media and tackle rumour mongering.

    Onoja Jr. said that government was transparent in its financial transactions, adding that all contracts had always followed due processes.

    “Government has nothing to hide; it is laughable to allege that the governor awards contracts to himself. Contracts are discussed and endorsed by the State Executive Council.

    “The governor vets all expenditures; he is strict and there is no way he can award contracts to himself. The executive council directs the ministries and payments are done through the Ministry of Finance,” he explained.

    The commissioner commended the federal government for the massive campaign against hate speech, and called for a more critical look into social media content to rid Nigeria of divisive comments. (NAN)

  • Flood disaster: NEMA complies with Buhari’s order, moves to Benue

    Flood disaster: NEMA complies with Buhari’s order, moves to Benue

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed a team to provide humanitarian services to victims of floods in Benue State, the Director-General of the agency, Mustapha Maihaja, announced yesterday.

    The reaction is in compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Maihaja, in a statement through NEMA’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Sani Datti, said that the humanitarian team had been reinforced with another contingent headed by Air Commodore Paul Ohemu, Director, Search and Rescue.

    He said that this was in addition to the officers of the North-Central Zonal Office of NEMA in Jos.

    NEMA boss said they were to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected persons in the various locations and to assess the situation for further support.

    He said that seven 30-tonne trucks had been despatched to the state.

    Maihaja sympathised with the affected people and assured that NEMA would work closely with the state government in providing them with the necessary assistance.

    On  Thursday President Buhari directed NEMA to deploy personnel and resources to provide succour to victims of flooding in Benue.

    The flood displaced over 100,000 people in 12 local government areas of the state.

  • Labour rejects Ortom’s appeal, begins warning strike Sept. 5

    Labour rejects Ortom’s appeal, begins warning strike Sept. 5

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Benue have rejected Gov. Samuel Ortom’s appeal against a one-week warning strike proposed to start Sept. 5.

    The warning strike is the first step by the workers who have declared a labour dispute with the state government over the non-payment of salaries.

    The workers, in a communique jointly signed by the NLC Chairman, Mr Godwin Anya and his TUC counterpart, Mr Ordue Tartenger, declared that the governor’s appeal was “unacceptable”.

    “His appeal is predicated on the prevailing economic situation, but the state has not stopped receiving statutory allocations from the federation account. This is besides Internally Generated Revenue and other revenue receipts from the federal government.

    “He appealed for understanding without any offer; other allocations from the federal government and other revenue sources are still available to government.

    “Supplementary support keeps coming from the Federal Government under various subheads – bailout, stabilization, Paris Club refunds, among others,” the workers said.

    The unions, therefore, declared Tuesday, September 5 – Wednesday, September 13 for the strike, and advised government to implement the state of emergency it declared on payment of salaries, gratuities and pensions.

    Reacting, Special Adviser to Ortom on Media and ICT, Mr Tahav Agerzua, said that the governor “placed all the cards on the table before the labour leaders”.

    He opined that the strike was not the solution because it would not bring the money needed to pay the salaries and arrears being demanded.

    NAN reports that the Benue workers are owed eight months salaries, with Ortom saying that N40 billion was required to settle them. (NAN)

  • Flood: NEMA sends team to Benue

    Flood: NEMA sends team to Benue

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed a team to provide humanitarian services to residents in Benue that were affected by recent flooding in the state.

    NEMA Director-General Mustapha Maihaja, made this known in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, in Abuja on Friday.

    Maihaja said that the immediate redeployment of the humanitarian team followed the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to provide immediate assistance to flood victims in the state.

    He said that the humanitarian team had been reinforced with another contingent headed by Air Commodore Paul Ohemu, Director, Search and Rescue.

    He said that this was in addition to the officers of the North-Central Zonal Office of NEMA in Jos.

    NEMA boss said they were to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected persons in the various locations and to assess the situation for further support.

    He said that seven 30-tonne trucks had been despatched to the state and were due to arrive Makurdi on Friday.

    Maihaja sympathised with the affected people and assured that NEMA would work closely with the state government in providing them with the necessary assistance.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Thursday President Buhari directed NEMA to deploy personnel and resources to provide succour to victims of flooding in Benue.

    The flood allegedly displaced over 100,000 people in 12 local government areas of the state.

  • Buhari directs emergency response to Benue flooding, sympathises with affected communities

    Buhari directs emergency response to Benue flooding, sympathises with affected communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari 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.

    According to him, he will also be receiving regular updates on the scale of the disaster, as well as the Federal Government’s humanitarian response.

    He assured that the Federal Government would make available any assistance needed to enable the state government and the affected communities cope with and surmount the impact of the flooding.

    The President extended his sympathies to the Government and people of Benue.

     

  • Over 100 people displaced by flood in Benue, houses, others affected

    Over 100 people displaced by flood in Benue, houses, others affected

     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.

     Achusa, 200 houses were affected with 5,125 persons displaced

    Idye, 217 houses were affected while 5,200 persons were displaced.

    Wurukum Market, 218 houses were affected with 1,000 persons displaced

    Genabe, 200 houses were affected with 5,021 persons displaced

    Industrial Layout, 69 houses were flooded and 4,310 persons displaced

    Demekpe, 111 houses were affected while 7,820 persons displaced

    Wadata Market, market150 houses were affected and 4,300 persons were displaced.

    Agboughul-Wadata 201 houses were affected and 5,728 persons displaced

    Katungu, 6,031 persons displaced, 137 houses were flooded

    Behind the Civil Service Commission, 200 houses were submerged in flood and 5,777 persons were displaced.

    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.

    Utsev said that since 2013, the state had not received any ecological assistance from the Federal Government.

    He said that if adequate budgetary provisions were made, many disasters may be mitigated since natural disasters could only be controlled.

    The commissioner said that dredging the River Benue would provide permanent solution to the recurring flood in the state.

    “Benue Government is looking for ways in which River Benue can be dredged; this is because by dredging the river, majority of the water can be accommodated and thus, prevent future overflow.

    “The ongoing research so far, shows that the preliminary study would cost about N8 billion while the main project would gulp about N300 billion.

    “And this is where we need Federal Government financial intervention to execute the project, since the funds are much,’’ he said.