(Ecofin Agency) - In Nigeria, the Benue state government has said the sum of N300 billion ($868 million) is needed to dredge River Benue to tackle flood in the state. This is after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) listed six local governments in the state as areas likely to be affected by flood in the country, this year.

According to the State Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Terlumum Utsev, dredging the river would provide a lasting solution to the recurring flood and stimulate economic activities in the state

“The ongoing research so far, shows that the preliminary study would cost about N8 billion ($23 million) while the main project would gulp about N300 billion. And this is where we need Federal Government financial intervention to execute the project, since the funds are much,” he said.

Regarding NiMET’s forecast, the state government said it has established shelters for potential flood victims and is enlightening the public on flood control measures.

Nigeria experienced its first flood disaster in the 1950s and ever since then the problem has persisted.

It should be recalled that in 2012, about 4, 000 houses were submerged due to the natural disaster which also destroyed property worth billions of naira.

Experts have attributed the cause of the disaster to human factors like poor planning of urban areas and indiscriminate dumping of wastes in water channels.

Anita Fatunji