FG, BENUE GOVT BEGINS PROCESSES TO RESETTLE IDPs.(PHOTO).

FG, BENUE GOVT BEGINS PROCESSES TO RESETTLE IDPs

The Federal government in collaboration with Benue state government have commenced the processes to resettle Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), in the state.

In that regard, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Betta Edu and officials of the Benue State Government led by Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue, Hon Aondowase Kunde, has carried out a joint visit to some selected IDPs camp in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The Minister who was represented by the National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Hon. Chidimma Makuachukwu, told the people that the visit was to identify areas where shelter will be provided for the displaced persons.

She noted that the president is concerned about the plight of the IDPs and provision of shelter in safer environment was the first step among other measures in place by the Tinubu administration to impact the people of need.

According to her, the paramount thing at the moment is building secured homes for the displaced where it will be easier to provide them with facility for education, clinic, electricity and markets just as security matters were also in top gear to curb the menace of attacks and displacements.

She commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for recognising the need to resettle the IDPs, and thanked the chiefs for allocating land for the project assuring that sooner than later, actual construction work will commence at the designated sites.

She urged the people of Benue to key into the various empowerment schemes rolled out by the federal government.

“We have the Renewed Hope Job Creation, Renewed Hope At Risk School Children, Renewed Hope Home Grown School Feeding Programmes, Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer.

“We also have the Renewed Hope GEEP, Renewed Hope Alternate School Programme and Renewed Hope Community Social Development Project; and I would encourage every one to apply to benefit in the various programmes,” she said.

Leading the delegation, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue, Hon Aondowase Kunde, urged communities in the state to support the Federal Government as they begin the resettlement plans.

Recalled that Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had promised during political campaigns that he will ensure resettlement of IDPs once elected as governor. And few days ago, the governor met President Bola Tinubu, during which he briefed the president about state of affairs in his state, including his resettlement plan.

Kunde said the joint visit to Kwande and Logo LGAs was a demonstration of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu government to support the resettlement plan of the Benue State Government.

The commissioner urged traditional rulers in the affected areas to give maximum cooperation and donate land to develop shelter for IDPs emphasizing that returning the people home is a process and providing shelter is top on the agenda.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorapuu, pledged the SEMA’s maximum support to the projects and welfare of the persons of concern in the state.

He disclosed that his agency, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration, (IOM), has commenced biometric verification of IDPs, for ease of allocation of homes.

Our correspondent reports that traditional rulers in Kwande and Logo LGAs of the State donated land for construction of shelter for the IDPs.

In Kwande, four council wards are affected while five are affected in Logo LGA. Large expanse of land was donated in Kwande at Waya and Anyiase for the resettlement plan while in Logo, land was allocated at Azera and Anyiin.

Mue Ter Ichôngo in the Kwande Area Traditional Council, HRH Simon Baver and Mue Ter Ipusu in the Logo Area Traditional Council, HRH Enoch Iorhuna, respectively said they welcome the plan to resettle their displaced ones.

They expressed joy at the development saying they had been looking forward to when their people displaced due to attacks by armed wing of cattle owners will go home and commended Governor Alia for working to actualise his “campaign promise.”

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi