Several homes have been submerged and many residents displaced following a heavy downpour in Achusa Community, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, with affected families forced to seek shelter on higher ground or move in with relatives as floodwaters swept through parts of the community.
The rainfall left a trail of destruction across the affected area, with residents reporting the loss of property worth millions of naira. Some households were completely forced out of their homes, while others were left assessing the damage as the flood gradually receded. Residents described the incident as one of the most severe flooding episodes experienced in the community in recent years.
The disaster has renewed concerns over the recurring flooding problem in Achusa, where residents have for years contended with inadequate drainage and development around natural waterways. The latest incident has now prompted a renewed intervention by the Benue State Government, which is seeking both immediate and longer-term measures to reduce the community’s exposure to flooding.
Alia Orders Assessment of Flood Damage
Governor Hyacinth Alia visited parts of the affected area and subsequently directed relevant government ministries and agencies to assess the extent of the destruction and determine measures capable of addressing the problem.
A high-powered delegation was dispatched to Achusa for an on-the-spot assessment. The team was led by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, and included the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Odoh Ugwu; Commissioner for Works and Housing, Kuma Iyenge; and General Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board, Ter Mede.
Iorpev said the state government was concerned about the situation facing residents and assured the affected community that action was being taken to address the recurring flooding.
According to him, Governor Alia had visited the area a few days earlier and was visibly affected by the scale of the destruction witnessed there. He said the governor subsequently instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to move into the community and work towards finding a lasting solution.
The commissioner said the government understood the hardship caused by the flooding and would not ignore the plight of residents whose homes and belongings had been affected.
Government Blames Development on Waterways
The joint assessment, however, identified one of the major factors contributing to the flooding as the construction of buildings on natural waterways and flood plains.
Officials said a significant number of the affected structures had been erected in areas required for the natural movement of water. By obstructing those routes, the developments have contributed to the accumulation and overflow of floodwater during periods of heavy rainfall.
The finding has placed the issue of illegal development at the centre of the government’s response. Officials said clearing blocked waterways and restoring the natural flow of stormwater would be necessary to reduce the risk of future flooding in the community.
The state government also pointed to ongoing road and drainage construction as part of its broader response. According to the assessment team, work on the road linking the Hotel Lucia axis through Achusa was progressing, with standard drainage channels being constructed to direct stormwater towards the River Benue.
Torrential Rainfall Submerges Homes in Benue, Leaves Residents Homeless
