The Benue State Government has warned residents against constructing buildings along waterways and in areas below sea level, saying such practices contribute significantly to flash floods and the submergence of properties across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, gave the warning in a statement on Saturday, September 5, 2026, stressing that the government was not opposed to property development but insisted that developers must obtain proper architectural drawings and relevant approvals before commencing construction.
Iorpev also cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, noting that blocked drainages, coupled with construction on waterways, were among the major causes of recurring flooding in parts of the state.
According to him, the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia remains committed to finding a lasting solution to the flooding problem in Benue.
He said the commitment was demonstrated by the quality and scale of drainage infrastructure currently being constructed across the state.
The commissioner disclosed that further interventions were being undertaken through the Benue State Agro-Climatic Watershed Management Agency, which is constructing a two-metre-wide drainage system around Achusah.
He explained that the drainage project would connect existing drainage channels to the river, thereby addressing the recurring flooding experienced in affected communities.
The government urged residents to comply with due process in property development and refrain from activities capable of obstructing drainage systems.
It reiterated its determination to implement sustainable, long-term measures aimed at ending recurring flooding and protecting lives and property across Benue State.