A middle aged man identified as Mr. Peter Otowo, an indigene of Obagaji Agatu, Local Government Area in Benue state, has drowned in the river following the recent flooding ravaging the state.
A native of Agatu, Mr. John Ikwulono told The Next Edition correspondent that the deceased was said to have gone to check his farm which was flooded on Wednesday when he met his untimely death.
This is coming shortly after the member representing Agatu State Constituency and Deputy Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Godwin Edoh, the Caretaker Chairman Agatu Council, Usman Alilu among other Dignitaries, visited the area to assess the level of damages caused by the flood.
Our source said the remains of the deceased was buried Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, the member representing Agatu State Constituency Mr. Godwin Edoh has appealed to government and other agencies to, as a matter of urgency, assist those who have been displaced by the flood.
Mr. Edoh accompanied by the Caretaker Chairman Agatu Local Government Usman Alilu led Journalists to Oweto and other villages around the riverine area to assess the damages caused by the flood.
Addressing Journalists after the tour, Edoh described the situation as unfortunate and unbearable saying there was urgent need for government and good spirited individuals to come to the aid of his people.
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According to him, houses, schools, hospitals, and Farms have been submerged, making things difficult for the displaced persons.
He called on Federal Government, State Government, NEMA, SEMA, NGOs and Public Spirited individuals to come to the aid of Agatu people adding that the untold hardship on the people as a result of the flood was much.
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He equally appealed to the Federal Government to dredge river Benue or think of alternative measures to put an end to the reoccurring flood in the state.
The Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Usman Alilu also noted that the internally displaced persons are currently camping at Oweto, Obagaji, Okokolo and other villages adding that over 37 communities have been displaced.
The visibly worried Agatu LG Boss lamented that he wasn’t himself when he saw all manner of challenges his people were going through adding that whatever support rendered would be highly appreciated.
Also speaking, the Ad’Agatu HRH Godwin Ngbede Onah said today marked the second time he visited the displaced persons. He expressed shock that up till now the leaving condition of the people had not improved due to lack of support from government and other agencies.
Onah appealed to government at all levels and individuals to come to the aid of the over 37 communities.
The immediate past Supervisory Councillor for Finance and Appropriation Agatu LGC John Ikwulono expressed sadness over the tough time the people were going through saying Agatu people became victims of circumstance due to the unfortunate flooding.
According to Ikwulono, no Agatu farmer from the affected communities would boast of any single harvest again this year due to the damages caused by the flood.
A pregnant woman, among other aged persons at IDP camps spoke to journalists especially on their present conditions appealing for relief materials and a permanent solution to the flood.
