From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The new acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, (BSEMA), Mr James Iorpuu, has resumed work with a tour of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.
Iorpuu, who received handover notes on June 7, 2023, was appointed as Executive Secretary by the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to take over the affairs of the agency from the former, Dr Emmanuel Shior.
The SEMA Executive Secretary, while on the sport assessment tour, inspected some facilities at the various IDP camps such as toilet facilities, health units, and collapsed perimeter fence caused by erosion among others.
He also interfaced with the displaced school pupils and the supervisor who notified him of some of the challenges affecting both the volunteer teachers and the pupils.
While addressing the displaced persons, Iorpuu assured them of welfare and other assistance from the state government and urged the IDP’s school pupils and teachers to take their studies seriously.
The Ag. BSEMA boss was particularly impressed by the good work of an ex-corp member Miss Faith Ogunleye for her volunteering service to humanity to teach the IDPs and assured them of Government full support.
He told the IDPs at the various camps, that his visit was to get first-hand information about the situation of the IDPs so as to brief his Principal who is passionate about their welfare and return to their ancestral homes.
According to him “God has sent his son through Governor Hyacinth Iornem Alia to take away their pains and long-sufferings and to resettle the IDPs to their ancestral homes. This is his earnest desire.”
He assured that their welfare will be handled transparently and judiciously.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his love for Benue State and Governor Alia and for appointing Sen.George Akume as Secretary to the Government Of the Federation, saying Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia will utilize the strong relationships with the President to permanently put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Benue state.
The ES also performed symbolic distribution of food and non-items donated to the IDPs by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, (UNHCR), at Daudu 2 camp where he commended the Commission for their volunteer service and commitment to the State Government.
He also cautioned parents, at the various IDP camps visited, to stop forced marriage of their children which he said was an old practice but to allow them to take advantage of full education.
Speaking, representatives of the IDPs, Mr Shaabee Stephen and Esther Orta, of Abagena camp, Godwin Maor of Daudu camp 3, Moses Nyiutsa, Stephen Hembaor of Uikpam camp and Rebecca Ahoome of UNHCR Shelter, all appreciated the state government and the ES for their visit and prayed God to grant Governor Alia wisdom and the will to return them to their ancestral homes, as there is no place like home.