By Bridget Ikyado
Hon. Aondowase Kunde, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue State has urged communities to support the State and Federal Government as they begin plans to resettle Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in the state.
He made the appeal during a visit to some IDP camps in Kwande and Logo LGAs, jointly carried out by the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. 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 Tinubu, to supporting the resettlement plan of the Benue State Government.
He said the visit would be replicated to other parts of the state which have issues of displaced persons due to insurgency.
It would be recalled that Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had promised during campaigns that he would ensure the resettlement of IDPs once elected as governor.
Few days ago, the governor met President Bola Tinubu and briefed him about some challenges bedeviling the state, including his resettlement plan.
During the joint visit to Gwande and Logo LGAs, the commissioner urged traditional rulers in the affected areas to give maximum cooperation and donate land to develop shelter for IDPs.
He emphasised that returning the people home is a process and providing shelter is a top priority.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Kwande and Logo LGAs of Benue State have donated land for the construction of shelter for IDPs.
While, four council wards were affected in Kwande, five were 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 as a result of attacks by armed wing of cattle owners will go home.
They 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-led administration to impact the people.
According to her, the paramount thing at the moment is building secured homes for the displaced as security matters were also in top gear to curb the menance where it will be easier to provide them with facility for education, clinic, electricity and markets.
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 sooner than later, actual construction work will commence at the designated sites.
She also urge the people of Benue to key into the various empowerment schemes rolled out by the FG.
“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), Mr James Iorapuu, pledged the Agency’s maximun support to the projects and welfare of the less privileged and IDPs.
He furtner said his agency in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has commenced biometric verification of IDPs, to ease the process of allocation of homes.
Bridget Ikyado is the Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Media and Publicity/Strategic Communication to the governor of Benue State.