How To Curb Menace Of Flooding – Ministerial Nominee Utsev …Says Prolonged ASUU Strike Responsible For Late Graduation

By Iyojo Ameh

A ministerial nominee, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev said the perennial menace of flooding in the country can be tackled mainly by dredging the rivers in the country such as River Benue which is heavily seated.

Utsev who is a Professor of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering said this while responding to questions by Senators when he appeared before the Senate for screening on Monday.

Flooding has become an annual disaster in the country as floods in various parts of the country led to an estimated economic loss of $9.

Speaking on the way out, the Benue nominee said: “We are talking about flooding, for example, River Benue is heavily seated and that is the only reason why we are having flooding in the country.

“If I am giving the Ministry (Water Resources), I will collaborate with the Ministries of Transportation, Agriculture and other Ministries to see how we can tackle the menace of flooding by the way of trying to see how we can dredge the River.

“By dredging the River you would have curb the menace of flooding and as well provide the water for irrigation so that will solve the problem.”

The former Benue commissioner for Water Resources explained that irrigation farming was artificial supply of water to crops and there are certain areas where dams can not be constructed for the purpose but there is inland drilling for the purpose.

He said he has conducted several researches on water harvesting and uses, adding that: “We don’t encourage wastage of water so what we now do is that the water that cause problems we put it into use.”

Speaking on concern raised by a lawmaker regarding long period between when he left secondary and graduated with a degree despite his show of brilliance Utsev said it was due to the protracted Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

“I went to Primary School in the year 1984, 1989 was when I got my First School Leaving Certificate. I started my secondary school in 1990 – 1995 that was when I got my SSCE.

“I graduated in 2004, I was actually supposed to pass out in 2003 but there was a prolonged strike by ASUU. I did a five years programme but with the strike, I spent six years on the programme that is why I graduated in 2004,” he explained.