Governor ​Ortom Acknowledges Federal Govt's Intervention In Flood In Benue

By Charles Iornumbe

Governor Samuel Ortom has acknowledged the Federal Government for providing relief support to victims of flooding in the State.

Governor Ortom gave the acknowledgement in an interview with Newsmen shortly after inspecting water level at River Guma through the Daudu-Gbajimba and Uni-Agric-Gbajimba roads.

He said the quick intervention by the Federal Government would go a long way in providing respite to the victims most of whom had been displaced saying it was in view of such prompt response that the Director General of NEMA is in the State to carry out an assessment.

Governor Ortom promised that his administration would continue to support victims of the flood which is why the Makurdi International Market had been designated as camp with another provided by the Federal Government near Agan Toll Gate in Makurdi for them.

The Governor told Newsmen that he had directed Chairmen of the Twenty Three Local Government Councils to also create temporary camps for victims of flood in their areas, expressing optimism that with combined efforts, the disaster would be contained.

Governor Ortom who killed a poisonous snake called Puff Adder, shortly on arrival at River Guma, advised People especially Children against entering flood water as it had the potential of carrying dangerous reptiles capable of harming them, noting that the snake he killed could have bitten a person which cure was very costly.

On the warning strike notice issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Benue State Council, Governor Ortom said his agreement with the Union to pay one month full salary in every two months due to paucity of funds still stands and would continue to appeal to the Officials to show understanding.

The Governor said if he knows where to borrow Forty billion naira as earlier announced, he could have done so in order to upset salaries of all categories of workers in the State, calling on People of the State to embrace agriculture as an alternative source of earning a living.

Governor Ortom said he constructed the bridge across River Guma while serving as Council Chairman in 1992 and expressed hope that he would do same now as Governor, adding that the contractors handling the Makurdi-Uni Agric-Gbajimba and Daudu-Gbajimba roads had been mobilised and would resume work as soon as the rains are over.