To contain the incident of heavy water flows in the area, the Federal Government has commenced the construction of a multi-purpose dam upstream of the River Dura in the Buruku Local Government Area of Benue state.
Deputy Director of Hydrology, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike, revealed this while assessing the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala highway, which was affected by the overflow of the river.
Umezulike said that the flood was caused by continuous sediment deposits in the river, which have reduced its depth and capacity to hold water.
He explained that the assessment team would evaluate the flood situation and report to the Minister for immediate action, pointing the need for a water reservoir upstream of the River Dura.
On his part, the District Head of Mbaakura Ward, Mathias Ager, told newsmen that the flood has also submerged homes, farms, and property in the area.
Ager noted that the level of water that overflows onto the highway during rain demonstrates the urgent need for the government to construct a dam to manage the water.
The royal father also appealed to the Government to rehabilitate the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala road, which he said is currently cut off near the Abekwa settlement close to the River Dura bridge.