FG, Benue Govt, seek communities’ collaboration to resettle IDPs
By Bridget Ikyado
Mr Aondowase Kunde, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue State has urged communities to support efforts being made by the state and Federal Governments to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Aondowase made the appeal during a joint visit to some IDPs camp in Kwande and Logo LGAs, by 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 they would also visit 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 to ensure the resettlement of IDPs once elected as governor.
The governor has met President Bola Tinubu on the matter, 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 areas to give maximum cooperation and donate land to develop safe shelter for the IDPs. He emphasised that returning the people home is a process and providing shelter a priority.
The traditional rulers in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) said they have identified land in their domains for the construction of shelter for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
A total of four council wards in Kwande and five in Logo LGAs were affected by the displacement. A 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 the displaced persons.
Both said they had been looking forward to when their people displaced due to attacks by armed men and cattle herders will go home.
They commended Governor Alia for working to actuale his campaign promise.
The representative of the minister told the chiefs that the visit was to identify areas where shelter will be provided for the displaced persons.
She said the president was concerned about the plight of the IDPs, and pledged to provide shelter for them in safer environment.
According to her, the paramount thing at the moment is building secured homes for those displaced, which will have educational facilities, 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 actual construction work will commence at the designated sites soon.
She urged the people of Benue state 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 from the various programmes,” she said.
Meanwhile the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorapuu, has pledged the Agency’s maximun support to the project, and ensuring the welfare of the less privillaged and IDPs.
He further said that the agency in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has commenced biometric verification of IDPs in the state for ease of allocation of the homes.
