Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, has disclosed that the Federal Government has set up a committee for dredging the Niger and Benue rivers.
Prof Utsev stated this on Saturday in Gboko, Benue State, during the burial ceremony of Elder Haa Orpin.
He explained that already the team has commenced the survey of the rivers and will soon submit its report to the Federal Government for action.
Utsev enumerated the benefits a dredged River Benue would attract to the state, including an end to perennial flooding and a boost to the state’s marine economy.
He added that more federal government interventions would come to the state, as well as federal appointments and jobs for Benue indigenes.
The minister also condemned the practice by some youths of using social media to vilify Benue leaders. Such, according to him, gives the state a bad name.
He appealed to Benue youths to always approach their leaders to channel their views for attention, stressing that their doors were always open for useful suggestions and corrections.
He further reiterated his earlier call to the Benue people to support President Bola Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, himself, and Governor Hyacinth Alia, to enable them to provide the desired dividends of democracy to the state.
He described the late Chief Haa Orpin as a father who stood for peace, truth, and development and prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.