Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, extended his appreciation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its substantial support to refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), emphasizing that their situation is a priority for his administration.
Governor Alia voiced his gratitude during a reception for the UNHCR delegation at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, on Thursday, August 15th, 2024. He expressed optimism that the visit would strengthen the partnership between his government and UNHCR in addressing the humanitarian challenges in the state.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of IDPs, Governor Alia praised UNHCR for mobilizing resources and establishing offices for both UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Benue. He acknowledged the ongoing security issues in the state but assured that his government will collaborate with security agencies to ensure safety and restore livelihoods in affected areas such as the Makurdi to Kadarko routes and the deep fields in Guma, Kwande, Gwer, Agatu, and Logo LGAs.
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Highlighting his government’s support for humanitarian efforts, Governor Alia noted the creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the strengthening of the SEMA office, and the establishment of the Bureau of International Cooperation and Development (BICD) to facilitate donor relations and resource mobilization. He also announced several initiatives, including the donation of the old Ministry of Information building as a UN hub, allocation of farmlands and vendor assignments for IDPs and refugees, the formation of cooperatives for income-generating activities, and the establishment of IDP farms to meet their feeding needs.
Governor Alia further acknowledged the Federal Government’s support under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the return of IDPs to their ancestral homes and announced plans for 3,000 new housing units to provide shelter and essential services for 16,000 displaced persons. These units will be equipped with necessary infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, markets, and water provisions.
In his closing remarks, Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with donor agencies to ensure the well-being of Benue’s displaced individuals.
The UNHCR delegation, led by Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Mr. Raouf Mazou, commended the state government for its efforts in managing the humanitarian crisis and providing shelter for Cameroonian refugees. German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Annett Günther, praised Governor Alia for his leadership and support for the Durable Solution Initiative and called for continued collaboration from all stakeholders.
The delegation also included UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Ruvendrini Menikdiwela and UNHCR Regional Director for West and Central Africa Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde.
