Benue State Issues Flood Warning, Launches Food Project

The Benue State government has cautioned residents, particularly those in flood-prone and riverine areas, about the risk of flash floods due to rising water levels in the River Benue. Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, urged residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels to prevent blockages that could exacerbate flooding.

Concurrently, the State Executive Council, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, approved an agreement to mobilize approximately N378 billion for the implementation of the National Food City Project at Ogyoma Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area. Dr John Paul Kpenkaan, Executive Secretary of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), outlined that the project aims to transform Benue’s agricultural sector by establishing a major agricultural and processing complex.

The initiative will be executed in three phases over more than 30,000 hectares, with the first phase covering 12,000 hectares and engaging about 40,000 agro-farmers. The project is expected to create over 15,000 jobs and will operate under a 25-year concession, with the state government holding a 10% equity stake.