The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to provide assistance to victims of the recent flooding in Buruku and Ushongo Local Government Areas following the overflow of the River Buruku.
The House also urged the Bureau of Special Projects and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Projects (RAAMP) to jointly conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged bridges and roads in Mbaya Council Ward, Buruku Local Government Area, and Mbagba District in Ushongo Local Government Area, with a view to developing plans for their reconstruction to ease movement within the affected communities.
Similarly, the House directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the flood-ravaged areas in Mbaya Council Ward, Mbagba District, and any other affected communities across the state to determine the extent of damage and recommend appropriate interventions.
The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by the members representing Buruku State Constituency, Hon. Abraham Zahemen Jabi, and Mata State Constituency, Hon. Simon Gabo, during Wednesday’s plenary session presided over by the 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 further explained 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.
Members who contributed to the debate expressed deep concern over the disaster and urged the State Government to intervene promptly to alleviate the suffering of affected residents.
Also during the plenary, the House received a letter from the Executive Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, requesting approval for a supplementary budget to enable the government to provide improved infrastructure for the state’s development.
After extensive deliberation, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emberga, referred the request to the House Standing Committee on Budget and Appropriation for further legislative consideration.
