By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A heavy downpour has caused significant destruction in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, flooding more than 1,000 houses, including banks, churches, and properties worth millions of naira.
The rain, which fell all through the weekend, devastated residential houses, churches, and public properties, including schools just as it led to traffic gridlock on major roads and streets.
Badly affected areas include Jerome Hwande Street, Ankpa Quarters Extension, Ankpa Ward by Demekpe, Living Faith Church Naka Road, behind Customary Court of Appeal, opposite First Gate Benue State University, Gboko Road, and Federal University of Agriculture Road North-Bank Makurdi, as well as behind Modern Market.
Other impacted locations are Wurukum Roundabout, Logo 1 Akpehe Village, Ide Village opposite Zone 4 Police Headquarters, and Kasho Village along Otukpo Makurdi.
A resident of Kighir Community along Naka Road, Benjamin Apaa, described the devastation as unimaginable, noting that it will take time for affected households to recover.
He called on the government, individuals, and corporate organizations for assistance.
“The rain started fell for three consecutive days. We have suffered heavy damage. Our foodstuffs are destroyed, many fences are down, and my house is overtaken by water,” he said.
Another victim, Mercy Ameh, said that some of the affected residents had begun moving out of the affected areas.
She maintained that the 1.5 Km drainage constructed and commissioned by federal government could not help matter as the channel was not properly constructed to empty water into the drainage canal.
“We thought that the drainage system would help matter, but further worsened the situation. We are calling on government to come to our aid because as it is now, we don’t know what will happen next.