The Federal and Benue State governments have taken a significant step in supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable individuals in Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas (LGAs) by distributing a truckload of relief materials. This effort aims to alleviate the challenges faced by those affected by displacement .
In Benue State, the growing number of IDPs is primarily due to violent conflicts between nomadic cattle herders and sedentary crop farmers . To address this, the government has established initiatives like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to coordinate relief efforts .
The intervention which was from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and facilitated by the lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federel Constituency, Mr. Terseer Ugbor had been impounded by the state government on the ground that it was being offloaded in a private residence in Makurdi
A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Benue State, Nigeria, regarding the distribution of relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Lawmaker Terseer Ugbor had facilitated the release of these items, claiming they were brought to Makurdi pending distribution to beneficiaries. However, Governor Hyacinth Alia suspected foul play and handed over the materials to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation and onward distribution .
It was discovered that the materials were initially offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi, sparking concerns of diversion. The governor’s swift action ensured that the materials reached their intended recipients. The distribution took place on Friday, with officials from SEMA, NEMA, EFCC, ICPC, and traditional rulers in attendance to supervise the exercise.
The Benue State government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has been working tirelessly to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable individuals in Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas (LGAs). Recently, the Acting Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for providing relief materials to these areas ¹. He also thanked the lawmaker, Terseer Ugbor, for facilitating the release of these materials, emphasizing the importance of following due process to avoid controversies.
The distribution of materials was carried out in a fair and transparent manner, with the representative of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) praising the state government’s efforts. The sharing formula, provided by the lawmaker, allocated 60% of the materials to Kwande LGA and 40% to Ushongo LGA.
Governor Alia’s administration has prioritized the welfare and development of Benue State’s citizens, with a focus on agriculture, security, and human capital development . His leadership has been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
The items distributed included bales of wrappers, mosquito nets, mattresses,
bags of rice, garri, seasoning cubes, groundnut oil and sachet tomatoes.
