In an inspection visit to the headquarters and warehouse of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Makurdi, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, revealed that preparations are being made to relocate internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. Mr. Dajoh emphasized that the relocation would be postponed until the rainy season subsides, as the government aims to ensure the provision of adequate security, shelter, and essential amenities before resettlement.
Acknowledging the need for a secure environment and suitable living conditions, the Speaker expressed his concern for the well-being of the IDPs and reassured them that assistance was forthcoming. He urged the IDPs to exercise patience while assuring them that measures were being taken to address their needs.
The motivation for his visit to SEMA's facilities stemmed from the acting Executive Secretary's disclosure that there were no supplies available to support the IDPs. The Speaker expressed disappointment over the agency's inability to fulfill its mandate of providing assistance during times of crisis and disaster, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
The Speaker promised to communicate the dire situation to the state governor, urging swift action. In response, James Iorpuu, the acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, commended the Speaker for his fact-finding visit, which could help alleviate the plight of the IDPs. Iorpuu shared that, based on the existing data he inherited, there were over 2.1 million IDPs in Benue state, but he was in the process of verifying the precise number.
