From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State Government has stressed that it is putting in place stringent measures, to ensure that palliatives to be distributed to the people are not vandalized.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Hon. Aondowase Kunde, disclosed this while interacting with members of Correspondents’ Chapel in Makurdi.
He explained that the delay in distributing the palliatives is to avoid incident of vandalism as is the case in most States.
Kunde said as soon as the State government gets delivery of the last batch of palliatives, it will commence distribution.
He adds: “We will take delivery of the items soon. We are taking steps to avoid that palliatives are not vandalized.”
The Humanitarian Commissioner disclosed that the Federal Government is to build over 200 cluster homes for Internally Displaced Persons in 8 vulnerable local government areas including Makurdi, Gwer West, Guma, Ukum, Logo, Agatu and Konshisha, adding that the State is collaborating with development partners to also complement FG’s efforts.
“We have the approval of the Tiv Area Traditional Council, TATC as well as the IDPs to build cluster homes for them. It will give opportunity for government to take care of them better especially in provision of amenities like electricity, hospitals, markets, security and schools.
“On the number of displaced persons in the State, we are partnering with Internarional Organization For Migrants, IOM to get the actual figure. They have finished with Logo and Makurdi,they are moving to Ukum, Guma. There is no humaitarian history in Benue.
‘We have identified 21 camps in the State. A camp identified in Ukum where relief materias will be sent to. Most of the IDPs are scattered and living with relatives. We are taking steps to easy the pain of those they are staying with”, Kunde said.
Earlier, Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel Emmanuel Antswen averred that the media intends to seek synergy with the Ministry to develop the State.
