The Benue State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to assist victims affected by recent floods in Buruku and Ushongo Local Government Areas, which followed the overflow of the River Buruku.
In addition, the House called on the Bureau of Special Projects and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Projects to conduct joint on-the-spot assessments of damaged infrastructure, including bridges and roads in Mbaya Council Ward, Buruku LGA, and Mbagba District, Ushongo LGA.
This evaluation aims to develop reconstruction plans to restore movement within the affected communities.
The House also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to inspect the flood-impacted areas in Mbaya Council Ward, Mbagba District, and other affected communities across the state to determine the extent of the destruction and propose suitable interventions.
These resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Hon. Abraham Zahemen Jabi (Buruku State Constituency) and Hon. Simon Gabo (Mata State Constituency) during Wednesday’s plenary, which was presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga.
Jabi and Gabo informed the House that “on Monday, October 13, 2025, the Ambila Stream in Mbaya Council Ward overflowed its banks after heavy rainfall, submerging Ortese Mbaatsua and Ikyaa villages located on both sides of the stream.
The flood also washed away the locally constructed bridge linking the two communities.”
They added that “the bridges on the Usaase I Stream along the Tsumba–Tse Gabo Road, as well as the Usaase II and Mbele streams in Mbagba District, Ushongo Local Government Area, were severely damaged by flooding and gully erosion, destroying major portions of the 2km road connecting the communities.”
Several members expressed concern over the disaster and urged the State Government to act quickly to ease the suffering of affected residents.
During the plenary, the House also received a letter from Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, seeking approval for a supplementary budget to enhance infrastructure development across the state.
Following discussions, Speaker Rt. Hon. Emberga referred the request to the House Standing Committee on Budget and Appropriation for further review.
