Construction of cluster homes for IDPs in Benue begins in November
The construction of cluster houses for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State will begin in November, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, has said.
The commissioner made this known when officials of the ministry and those of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, visited IDPs in five local government areas of Benue State.
The Local Government Areas visited were Logo, Kwande, Guma, Gwer West and Agatu.
He said that the process of resettling the IDPs had commenced as promised by Governor Hyacinth Alia, adding that the state would work with the Federal Government to provide the houses to the IDPs.
Aondowase added that it has become necessary to have cluster settlements as it would enhance provision of security and social amenities.
The commissioner therefore, called for support for the governor’s resettlement plan.
“In line with Governor Alia’s campaign promises, we’ll ensure all IDPs get accommodation in a secure environment to resume their normal lives,” he added.
Also, the National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Chidimma Makuachukwu, said President Bola Tinubu directed them to ensure proper monitoring, evaluation and plans for the construction of cluster houses at designated safer places.
Chidimma who represented the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu said they will work with the state government in resettling the IDPs.
“The renewed hope shelter is one of the many programmes under the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation by the Tinubu administration to bring hope to the people,” she added.
The officials also visited traditional rulers in the five local government areas, who announced the allocation of land in the their domains to resettle the IDPs.
The traditional rulers in Kwande, Mue Ter Ichôngo, Kwande Area Traditional Council, Simon Baver, donated large expanse of land at Waya and Anyiase for IDPs’ resettlement while Mue Ter Ipusu in Logo Area Traditional Council, Enoch Iorhuna allocated land at Azera and Anyiin.
Also, the traditional head of Ad’Agatu, Onah Ngbede; the Ter Guma, Dennis Shemberga and the Ter Tyôshin, Daniel Abomtse, all welcomed the plan, announced allocation of land and pledged their total support.
They said that they look forward to when their people, who have been living in camps for over 13 years, following their displacement by armed herdsmen and militias, will come back home.
The traditional rulers commended Governor Alia for working to actualise his campaign promise to resettle the IDPs.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr James Iorapuu said, the process for the resettlement of the over 1.5 million IDPs in the state will be driven by patriotism, accountability, openness and equity.
He said that the agency in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has commenced the biometric verification of IDPs in the state for proper documentation ahead of the resettlement.
