Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the Federal Government to address the plight of the Benue Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in various camps in the State.
The Governor who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior at the official handover of a solar borehole, Latrines and 3-bedroom self-contained staff quarters by Benue SEMA and UNHCR in Ikyogen and Abande, Kwande LGA, condemned the negligence by the Federal Government to the plight of Benue IDPs who’s situation is equal or more comparable to that of North East which they’ve focused and given attention.
He stressed that, Federal Government should settle the Benue IDPs who suffering huge attacks from the Fulani Herdsmen and also provide security to help those living in camps return home. He reiterated that the Federal Government has suddenly decided to neglect the plight of the Benue IDPs saying that, the State Government intervention alone is not enough to cater for the over one million, five hundred thousand (1,500,000) IDPs in the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom applauded the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR for their humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced person IDPs and the Cameroonian Refugees in Benue State.
Hon. Mrs. Joyce Tartor Chianson, Kwande Local Government Chairperson, while commissioning the projects thanked the representatives of the UNHCR for always coming to the aid of the Refugees and IDPs saying the projects will go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable.
In his address, the Head of UNHCR Sub Office, Ogoja, Tesfaye Bekele commended the Ikyogen Community for hosting the Displaced Persons of concern fleeing persecution from the neighbouring country, Cameroon. He said, in line with the GCR Principles, UNHCR has continued to complement the efforts of the Benue State Government in the implementation of key infrastructure, to promote Community Development and improve peaceful co-existence between the Refugees and the host population of Ikyogen Community in Benue State.
He said, the efforts, commitment and leadership of the Executive Secretary, Benue SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior and the Kwande LGC Chairperson, Hon. Mrs. Joyce Tartor Chianson cannot be overemphasized.
In his remark, Ter Kwande, HRH. Engr. Timothy Ahile who spoke at the event applauded the Benue State Government through the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior for creating an enabling environment for the Humanitarian Partners to work effectively with the Host Communities, giving his assurance to protect the facilities from vandalization.
