By Bridget Ikyado
Hon. Aondowase Kunde, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue State has urged communities to support the Federal Government as it begins plans to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
He made the appeal during a joint visit to some IDPs camp in Kwande and Logo LGAs, with the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu and officials of the Benue State Government.
The Minister was represented by the National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs , Chidimma Makuachukwu.
According to the Commissioner, the joint visit to Kwande and Logo LGAs is a demonstration of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu, to supporting the resettlement plan of the Benue State Government.
He said the visit which is to seek the consent of the communities would be extended to other parts of the state with displaced persons due to insurgency.
It would be recalled that Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had promised during 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.
The commissioner urged traditional rulers in the affected communities to give maximum co-operation and donate land to develop shelter for IDPs.
He emphasised that returning the people home is a process and providing shelter is top priority.
In their response, traditional rulers in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State have donated land for construction of shelter for Internally Displaced Persons (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, His Royal Highness Simon Baver and Mue Ter Ipusu in the Logo Area Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Enoch Iorhuna, respectively said they welcome the plan to resettle their displaced ones.
Both say 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 actualising his “campaign promise.”
Representative of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Chidimma Makuachukwu, told the chiefs that the visit was to identify areas where shelter will be provided for the displaced.
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 others put in place by the Tinubu administration .
According to her, the paramount thing at the moment is building secured homes for the displaced where it will be easier to provide them education, clinic, water, electricity, markets and other facilities.
She said security matters were also being given attention to curb the menace .
While commending Governor Alia for recognising the need to resettle the IDPs, the representative of the minister thanked the chiefs for allocating land for the project.
She assured that soonest, actual construction work will commence at the designated sites.
She urged the people of the state to take advantage of various programmes of the Federal Government to improve their living standards.
“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.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorapuu, pledged the Agency’s maximum support to the projects and welfare of the less privileged and IDPs.
He further said his agency in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has commenced biometric verification of IDPs, for ease of allocation of homes. (vitalnewsngr.com)
