..flags off food distribution

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, James Iorpuu says Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully committed to ensuring the safe return of Benue Internally Displced Persons, IDPs, to their ancestral homes.

He said SEMA was also working round the clock with all sincerity and committed to facilitate the process.

The Permanent Secretary who made the disclosed weekend while flagging off the monthly distribution of food and non-food items to IDPs in the state assured that the government was committed to the wellbeing of the persons of concern in the state.

He disclosed his plans to tour the IDPs camps in the state to monitor the humanitarian conditions firsthand, and deepen engagement with the displaced populations, emphasisng that “the tour will enable me to better appreciate the conditions on the ground, interface directly with camp officials and IDPs, and identify areas where immediate and long-term interventions are needed. It is only through proximity and sincere listening that we can fine-tune our approach to durable solutions.”

Iorpuu also disclosed that work on the Fr. Alia Conference Hall, which he described as a key project of Benue SEMA, was nearing completion noting that “when commissioned, the facility would serve as a vital hub for humanitarian coordination, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building sessions for SEMA staff and partners.

“It is part of our broader effort to institutionalize a culture of excellence, transparency, and innovation within the humanitarian sector in Benue State.

“To our IDPs, please be assured that your cries have not gone unheard. Governor Alia remains fully committed to your safe return and dignified resettlement. As an agency, we are working round the clock to facilitate this process with sensitivity and sincerity.

“While the state government continues to intensify efforts aimed at returning our people to their ancestral homes, we are also fostering a peaceful and harmonious environment where IDPs can coexist with host communities promoting mutual respect and brotherhood.”

According to him, “the Benue State Government has secured and cleared several hectares of land and formed over 200 cooperatives for the IDPs. Additionally, about 280 hectares of farmland have been allocated. The IDP farm projects, which have already been launched as part of the government’s sustainable empowerment programmes, will be further expanded.

“We are maintaining strong collaboration with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as with other critical stakeholders, to continue supporting the resettlement and empowerment of displaced persons.”

While commending Governor Hyacinth for consistently reaching out to the IDPs, Cameroonian refugees, and vulnerable populations across the state the Permanent Secretary said “as we implement the Durable Solutions Plan for IDPs, we call on the Federal Government to support durable solutions for displaced citizens and improve national security. This will enable farmers to return to their communities and regain self-sufficiency.”