Process to return IDPs to their ancestral homes in Benue ongoing — Gov. Alia

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has revealed that the process of returning the Internally Displaced  Persons  (IDPs), displaced by armed herdsmen and currently taking refuge at different camps in the State to their ancestral homes, is ongoing.

Alia made the disclosure on Wednesday, during a programme on radio to mark his 100 days in office as the Executive Governor of Benue State.

The Governor explained that although the IDPs are still in camps, they now go to their ancestral homes to farm, a situation which he said was not possible in the past.

Alia said,  “Returning the displaced people to their ancestral homes is a process. It involves very many other critical stakeholders.  Already we have carried along all these stakeholders in all the processes we are following. We have three stages. We are done with the first stage which is dialogue. The second stage is almost completed too. Once this is done, we shall lead our people, holding their hands straight back to occupy their homesteads.

He further stated that it is a security issue which cannot be discussed in the open, but as soon as all the processes and modalities are completed, the people will be returned  to their homes.

Alia  who also  highlighted some of his achievements in office within the 100 days, told Benue people that  although his administration  took over the affairs of the State at  a  near collapsed status, it is on course to make the state better.

The Governor said his administration have been able to  pay  four months’ workers salaries and pensions, provision of fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized rate,  flagged off  16 roads construction   at different areas within Makurdi, the State capital, and sanitisation of workers payroll which has saved the State of over N1billion, as some of his achievements in office so far.