The Edo State Government said it sympathises with the people over the impact of the recent flash flood across Benin City, as a result of heavy down pour last Friday.
A few weeks ago, the Nigerian Metrological Agency warned of heavy flooding from torrential rains.
In a statement in Benin City, the state capital, on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Osa Nehikhare said: “We had taken the alerts seriously and embarked on responsive strategies across the state’s flood management sites, especially retention ponds and other infrastructure to limit the impact of the flooding.
“The government had also deployed its officials to desilt drains and clear flood pathways in different parts of the state preparatory to the predicted flooding across flood-prone sites and lowland areas across the State.
“Despite these, the heavy down pour of 24 May 2024, which lasted for over 15 hours, had stressed various flood flash points in the State, resulting in overflowing of the banks.
“The state’s Command and Control Centre has since been responding to emergency calls from the impact of the incident, dispatching response teams to provide support and emergency care to areas most impacted by the incident. These efforts would be sustained.
“We enjoin the public to continue to explore these emergency lines as we sustain efforts to provide the needed support”.
