CENTUS NWEZE REPORTING
With Over N680 million spent in procurement of anti snake venom, treatment and 67 people dying from 2,981 people bitten by the reptiles, Benue State appears to have snake problem on their hands, it has been learnt.
The state is largely agrarian, favouring rain fed farming.
This disclosures came from Samuel Ortom, governor of the beleagured state.
According to Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, the total number of snake bite cases recorded between 2016 to date was 2,298; those that survived the bites within the period were 2,917, while about 64 persons lost their lives to the bite.
Governor Ortom admitted that paying for anti venom was huge drain on government resources.
The Governor disclosed this during the blessing and commissioning of the new ultra-modern laboratory constructed by the Catholic church at Bishop Murray comprehensive health center, Makurdi on Monday.
He explained that the N680 million treatment for the bites cut across three hospitals; Rahama hospital, Bishop Murray, hospital and the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Makurdi.
He lamented that where would an average farmer get the amount of N2 million in the event of severe bites from snakes like the puff adder or a black mamba among other dangerous snakes.