NIMASA board chairman lauds FG over River Benue’s dredging

From Itodo Daniel Sule, Lokoja

The Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), retired Maj. Gen. Jonathan India Garba, has lauded the federal government over its plan to dredge River Benue, to tackle perennial flooding that has over the years wreaked havoc across communities in the state.

Garba, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Adakole Ejegbudu, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for his prompt response to the recent flooding in Benue State and its environs which he noted, brought untold hardship to thousands of residents and destroyed property worth millions.

The statement noted that the visit of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to Makurdi, at the instance of the President showed the Presidency’s commitment to the wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians.

“The excitement generated by this announcement is understandable given that the river which in times past was a very busy waterway utilized for transporting people and goods between locations as far apart as Buruku in Benue State and Numan in Adamawa State has become filled with silt and other materials and is consequently un-navigable for long stretches,” he said. He said apart from reducing the risk of flooding, the dredging would also improve the navigability of the waterways and ensure increased economic activities along the river banks as well as riverine communities in the state.