Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has said that the state is prepared to deal with the possible flood danger posed by the inauguration of the Lagdo Dam.
He stated that, in addition to devising answers, the state has launched major education programs to reduce the danger to be caused by the Lagdo Dam.
He told State House media on Thursday that he had met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
Governor Alia attempted to allay fears about the state’s preparedness for potential floods, a frequent problem in the region.
He emphasized the administration’s emphasis on proactive measures rather than reactive preparation.
He underlined that, rather than just considering steps, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is fully prepared to deal with any flood-related issues.
The governor also cited ongoing conversations about dredging the river and considering alternative possibilities before requesting federal assistance.
He said:
“I didn’t say we are thinking about what to do when the floods come. We are not thinking—we are prepared. We are creating awareness for all our people. Maybe why you mentioned that is the fact that I had said the river requires dredging.
“So before the dredging, there are a number of things on the table, exploring to see which are the best options before the federal government comes in to support us.
“So for the record, we’re not just waiting. We have SEMA, an emergency management team. They have the capacity to take charge of all this, and they are already quite armed. We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task.”
Alia highlighted the ongoing concern of those living in flood-prone locations near rivers.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
