Governance
Benue Govt Procures N1.2bn Relief Items for IDPs from First Lady, Nasarawa Govt, UBA, DSS Donations
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has procured food and non-food relief materials for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) using over N1.
The development was disclosed by the Chairman of the Technical Committee on the implementation of the interventions from the First Lady of Nigeria, the Nasarawa State Government, UBA and DSS to victims of the Yelewata attack, Mrs. Deborah Aber, during a press briefing at the office of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Makurdi.
Mrs. Aber, who also serves as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the distribution of the relief items coincides with the yuletide season, a period that represents hope, love, compassion and renewed faith in humanity.
She explained that in local government areas such as Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Apa, where there are no IDP camps, the relief materials would be handed over to relevant stakeholders, including traditional rulers, who would identify displaced persons for onward distribution.
Represented at the briefing by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, Aber noted that beyond the ongoing distribution of food and non-food items, the state government has also commenced the resettlement of IDPs.
She disclosed that the construction of new houses under a cluster settlement initiative was already underway in Yelewata, with 26 of the proposed 50 houses completed so far.
According to her, the government has also implemented Conditional Cash Transfers to 1,000 beneficiaries across IDP camps and host communities, in addition to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, which have included the drilling of three boreholes in Yelewata, as well as agricultural support, educational assistance and other social interventions.
She said, “From these combined funds, essential food items such as rice, maize, beans, garri, vegetable oil and condiments were procured, alongside critical non-food items including blankets, mats, toiletries and other household essentials.”
Aber expressed the state government’s appreciation for the humanitarian support received from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, noting that its donation of food and non-food items has significantly enhanced the state’s response capacity.
She added that beyond the distribution of relief materials, the combined donations have supported other key interventions aimed at improving the dignity and wellbeing of IDPs, including improved nutrition for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as strengthened camp-level support services.
“One particularly remarkable outcome of our collaboration with partners is the commencement of a massive water treatment plant in Naka, Gwer-West Local Government Area. This vital project will provide access to safe and clean water for both IDPs and host communities, serving as a long-term and sustainable intervention that promotes public health, human dignity and peaceful coexistence,” she said.
Aber noted that these achievements align with the vision and commitment of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, whose administration, she said, has consistently prioritised the welfare, safety and dignity of displaced persons, while working to transition from emergency relief to durable solutions to displacement.
She assured IDPs that they have not been forgotten, stressing that the Benue State Government, through SEMA and in collaboration with local, national and international partners, remains committed to sustained interventions focused on resettlement, livelihood restoration, access to basic services and improved living conditions.
“I urge all stakeholders to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and cooperation to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support meant for them.
“On behalf of the IDPs and the Benue State Government, I sincerely thank Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria; the Nasarawa State Government; UBA; DSS; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and all our partners and donors for standing with Benue State during these challenging times,” she said.
