A downpour lasting more than nine hours has submerged several residential areas in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, leaving homes and roads flooded.

The rainfall, which began overnight and continued into Monday evening, affected communities including Achussa, New GRA, behind Radio Benue, Nyiman, Idye, Naka Road, North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum and Wadata.

Residents said floodwaters entered homes and damaged household items and foodstuff, while commuters were stranded as several roads became impassable.

Checks by our correspondent showed that buildings and business premises around ongoing construction sites and riverbanks were particularly affected.

Residents Blame Blocked Drainage Channels

A resident, Frank Tion, blamed the flooding partly on blocked drainage channels linked to ongoing road construction.

Tion appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to direct contractors to immediately open blocked drainage channels and restore the free flow of water.

He alleged that the indiscriminate closure of roads and drainage channels by construction companies had worsened the situation.

Another resident, Theresa Andyson, said the flooding could have been more severe without some of the large drainage channels already constructed by the government.

However, Andyson noted that multiple construction projects across the city may have contributed to flooding in areas where water channels were blocked to facilitate construction work.

SEMA Receives Flood Report

Meanwhile, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Terna Ager, confirmed that the agency had received reports of flooding in Achussa.

Ager said the agency had not yet visited the affected area to conduct an assessment.

The extent of damage and whether there were casualties had not been established as of the time of filing this report.

The post Makurdi Floods: 9-Hour Downpour Submerges Homes, Roads Across Benue Capital appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address Nigeria’s housing deficit with the handover of 116 completed housing units under the National Housing Programme to the Benue State Government, describing the project as a major step towards expanding access to affordable housing and strengthening collaboration with state governments.

The housing estate, located in Makurdi, was officially handed over on Wednesday after being acquired by the Benue State Government to improve access to decent accommodation for residents, particularly civil servants.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, said the National Housing Programme remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship initiatives aimed at reducing the country’s housing deficit, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Represented by the Director of Public Buildings and Housing Development, QS Pemi Samuel Temitope, the minister said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of making affordable housing accessible to more Nigerians.

He described the handover as another milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the living standards of citizens through strategic partnerships with state governments.

“Housing remains one of the most fundamental needs of every society. Beyond providing shelter, it promotes human dignity, family stability, public health, security and stronger communities,” Darma said.

The minister commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for acquiring the estate, describing the decision as a strategic investment that would improve housing availability and enhance the welfare of residents.

According to him, the National Housing Programme is being implemented across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory as part of efforts to bridge Nigeria’s housing gap through the delivery of affordable homes.

He noted that beyond providing housing, the programme is also creating employment opportunities, stimulating local economies and encouraging the use of locally sourced building materials.

“Today’s ceremony is more than the transfer of physical structures. It is a demonstration of purposeful leadership, effective intergovernmental collaboration and our shared commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians,” he added.

Receiving the housing estate on behalf of Governor Alia, the Acting Head of Service of Benue State, Dr. Eunice Ogbeniyi, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the partnership.

She said the acquisition reflects the Benue State Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants and residents, assuring that the houses would be allocated and utilised for their intended purpose.

Ogbeniyi added that the state government remains committed to collaborating with the Federal Government on initiatives capable of improving the quality of life of the people.

The minister also praised the Benue State Government for its investments in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and education, noting that the acquisition of the housing estate complements the administration’s broader development agenda.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with state governments, private investors and other stakeholders to accelerate housing delivery across the country.

According to him, sustained collaboration remains essential to achieving sustainable urban development, increasing homeownership and reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Darma expressed confidence that the completed estate would stand as a lasting symbol of productive partnership between the Federal Government and Benue State while contributing significantly to the state’s socio-economic development.

The post FG Delivers 116 National Housing Units to Benue appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The ’s push to expand affordable housing has received a boost in , as Governor begins steps to facilitate the use of 116 housing units constructed under the National Housing Programme.

Governor Alia made this known during an inspection of the housing estate located at , specifically at Tse Ukpahar behind Welfare Quarters.

Housing Project Targets Affordable Homes

The housing units were built by the as part of the National Housing Programme, a federal initiative designed to tackle Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and improve access to decent accommodation.

During the inspection, Governor Alia praised the federal government for its commitment to expanding affordable housing across the country.

He noted that his administration is working to ensure that the houses are fully completed and made available to residents of the state at affordable rates.

Mortgage Plan for Civil Servants

To make the houses accessible to more residents, the Benue State government is also exploring collaboration with the .

According to the governor, the partnership could allow civil servants and other eligible buyers to access mortgage financing, enabling them to conveniently purchase the housing units once they are put up for sale.

Boost for Housing and Economic Development

Officials say the National Housing Programme plays an important role in addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges while also stimulating economic activities through construction and infrastructure development.

The inspection of the Makurdi housing estate highlights growing cooperation between federal and state governments to ensure that projects implemented under national programmes deliver real benefits to citizens.

Authorities have also encouraged other states to partner with the federal government to maximise the impact of similar housing initiatives nationwide.

The post Benue Moves to Activate 116 Federal Housing Units Under National Housing Programme appeared first on Housing TV Africa.