Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Ugwu Ameh Odoh, Thursday, promised to work hard to resuscitate the three major water works in Benue state in order to address the perennial water scarcity in the state.
The three, the Greater Makurdi Water Works; Katsina Ala Waters Works; and Otobi Water Works in Otukpo, were constructed by the former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration but reticulation work has been left unattended after he left office in 2015.
But speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, the new commissioner, Ameh Odoh said he would soon take a tour of the facilities and work towards ensuring that the three water works are fully functional.
He said he was aware of the perennial water shortage in the state despite the presence of River Benue which is the second largest river in the country, adding that it would be shameful that Benue is still experiencing water shortage.
“When we were growing up in Otukpo, for instance, there was water everywhere in Otukpo and Makurdi, but now there is water scarcity in these two places. The water scarcity situation in Otukpo, in particular, is very bad and we will try our best to solve it.”
Speaking on planned measures to tackle flood in the state particularly Makurdi, the state capital, Odoh said “We have a lot of environment issues in Benue state but we have to take a look at what is happening because we are just coming in and must know what the problem is before we can easily solve it.
“The first thing is to act as soon as possible because of the warning given about the flood. We have to be aware that when you block the waterways by building on it, you are definitely inviting disaster.
“We will create awareness to ensure the people who build on water ways move away from water prone areas so that they are not affected by the impending flood disaster,” added.
We will address perennial water scarcity in Benue – Odoh
