The federal government, on Thursday commissioned a 1.2-kilometre drainage project in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), inaugurated the Idye Flood Control/Dyke project in Nyiman, Makurdi.
He praised the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) for adhering to international best practices in executing the project.
Akume noted that Nigeria faced numerous challenges, including environmental destruction caused by flood and gully erosion. He emphasised that this project represented an important step toward addressing these challenges in the Nyiman area.
“Environmental problems have plagued our communities long before N-HYPPADEC was established in 2021. Reversing the environmental damages caused by floods and erosion over the years requires meticulous, long-term planning executed in stages. This flood control project is one of the early steps taken by the commission towards reversing ecological degradation and promoting sustainable development in riverine communities across the country.”
Representing the SGF, the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev, acknowledged President Tinubu, the state government, and all stakeholders whose sustained efforts led to the project’s completion.