FG, Benue gov’t flags off construction of low-cost Renewed Hope Shelter homes for the poor and internally displaced persons
By Bridget Ikyado
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Benue State Government has laid foundation for the construction of clustered settlements for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue state.
Speaking at Tatyough, Mbalagh in Makurdi Local Government Area, Governor Hyacinth Alia thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for given priority attention to the plight of displaced persons in Benue State.
The Governor appreciated the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu and her ministry for all they continue to do for humanity, especially for Benue State.
He applauded what he described as the first significant step taking by the Federal Government to ensure peace and resettlement of IDPs which he said has been the plight of Benue people over the years.
The Governor thanked Makurdi Local Government Area traditional council for donating land for the project and pledged the commitment of his administration to the welfare of all the displaced persons in the state.
He called on IDPs in the state to remain steadfast in the still of their unfortunate conditions trusting in the unwavering commitment of the present administration to bringing peace in the state and returning them to their ancestral homes.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu decried the humanitarian situation in Benue State, saying Benue people have suffered a lot and it was now time for them to go home.
She added that the construction of low coast houses was the beginning of the journey for the return home of the IDPs, stressing that Benue State is at the heart of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in his demand to achieve food security for the nation.
The Minister thanked the Benue State Government for providing land for the project and appreciated Governor Alia for his proactivity, saying Benue people will continue to remember him as a Governor who came and changed the narrative for them.
The project is a National Renewed Hope Shelter Program for the Poor, Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees Project , under the Office of the National Program Manager, Chidimma Makuachukwu and ably supervise by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The program is one of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Poverty Alleviation approaches placed under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
She said the National Renewed Hope Shelter Program for the Poor, Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees is a project that will provide economic benefits to the locals since they will constitute the total manpower requirement and also sell the locally available materials.
In their separate remarks, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, the Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule, and the Leader of Tatyough community, Henry Hansezanyi Asera, amongst others profoundly appreciated both the state and Federal Government for the joint efforts to resettle IDPs and return them to their ancestral homes.
Also the House of Assembly Member representing Makurdi State Constituency, Mr Alfred Berger said the suspected herders have killed over 12,000 persons in the whole of Mbagwen, Makurdi LGA between 2010 to 2023.
Berger also disclosed that the last time he visited the community was in 2017 adding that herders have taken over the entire area.