Alarmed by the amount of devastation caused by flooding in some communities, including Makurdi, in Benue State, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to come to the aid of the victims.
He said he would be monitoring developments in the area, particularly on the amount of the disaster and the humanitarian response of the government.
In a statement issued by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, the president expressed his sympathy over the disaster in the state.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 100,000 persons in 12 local government areas of Benue State have been displaced by flood.
Below is the full statement:
PRESIDENT BUHARI DIRECTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO BENUE FLOODING; SYMPATHISES WITH AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
President Muhammadu Buhari has received with great concern reports of the flooding in Benue State, which, according to early estimates, has affected thousands of homes and displaced more than 100,000 persons in 12 local government areas.
Consequently, the President has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize personnel and resources to come to the aid of the victims of the flooding. The President is closely monitoring the situation, and will be receiving regular updates on the scale of the disaster, as well as the Federal Government’s humanitarian response.
The President extends his sympathies to the Government and people of Benue State, and assures that the Federal Government will make available any assistance needed to enable the State Government and the affected communities cope with and surmount the impact of the flooding.
GARBA SHEHU
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and Publicity)
