Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Wednesday said it has put in place plans to disengage the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently at the various camps in the state.
The IDPs, who were chased out of their homes during the herdsmen and farmers’ crises, have been in the camps since January, 2018.
Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr Emmanuel Shior who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi stated that some IDPs have already started leaving, but majority of them were still in the camp.
He said part of the reasons the IDPs were not disengaged was funding adding that the federal government through Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo promised to provide N10 billion to states affected by the crisis, but Benue was yet to receive its share.
Shior stated that SEMA was also working with other relevant MDAs to provide urgent attention to areas affected by flood.
“Flooding in Benue state is a perennial challenge and Makurdi, the state capital is always worse affected.
“As a responsible government, we always prepare ahead, and this year, the governor has directed us to come together in a committee and we have put measures in place in case of eventualities,” he stated.
He said the governor has approved money to free most of the drainages blocked by dirt and refuse for easy flow of water.
Shior also stated that Benue has received more than N100 trucks of the fertiliser from NEMA for distribution to victims of flood and Fulani/herdsmen crisis.
