Benue State government in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has commenced relocation of 171 households with over 835 population of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, to a newly constructed camp.
The new camp, constructed by International Organization for Migration, IOM, is located at Mbayongo community along Makurdi- Gbajimba road, Guma local government area of the State.
The programme, which commenced on Thursday, is part of the fulfilment of the promise by Governor Hyacinth Alia to return the IDPs to their homes.
The Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, revealed that the camp has capacity to accommodate over 5,000 persons.
He said the State government has decided to relocate three camps, including Baka, NEPA and Ichwa to the mega camp, hence their ancestral homes and for better living conditions and security for the IDPs.
Iorpuu, who was represented by the Information officer of the Agency, Mr. Tema Ager, said that provisions have been made for the siting of a security post, schools, market, hospitals and electricity, toilets and water facilities to ensure standard of living of the inmates.
During an interaction with Journalists, IDPs, Margaret Jubu who shared her experience in the camp, said she has been staying at the NEPA camp for over seven (7)years.
She said that for these years, she engaged in doing menial jobs like going to work in people’s farm, cultivating rice and cassava to sustain herself and five children.
Jubu said, ”I lost my husband 7 years ago as a result of the crisis. He died of hypertension.I hail from UIkpam in Guma local government area. When the community was attacked by suspected herdsmen, I ran straight from the farm and had to trek to Makurdi for two(2) days.
“We escaped from the farm and walked several miles hiding inside the bush. When we got to Daudu, there was another attack, we escaped again from there to Makurdi. I first stayed at my sister’s place at Ter Guma Street in the North Bank but it was not a conducive place.
“So, I moved to this place (NEPA Quarters)but thank God for Governor Alia this camp has been abandoned for several years but he brought life back to it by ensuring that we have regular relief materials.
“We also appreciate SEMA for the show of care and attention given to the IDPs. Am excited to be relocated to a better place”.
Another victim, Terngu Angbianor, who was displaced and has been living in the camp for over seven years, expressed joy over the decision of the state government to move them to the Mega camp .
He said it could have been better if they returned to their ancestral homes.
“Life at the IDPs camp for the past seven years had been difficult. Despite the kind gesture by the government, I will prefer to go back to my ancestral home if enough security is provided,” he stressed
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