Benue IDPs: Gov Alia allegedly orders seizure of relief materials donated by NEMA to Rep Terseer Ugbor
Relief materials donated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Member of the House of Representatives, for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency have reportedly been seized on the orders of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Hon Ugbor, concerned about the severe hardships faced by IDPs in his constituency, requested food and non-food items from NEMA to ease their suffering.
The donated items, which included sacks of garri, rice, wrappers, mosquito nets, seasoning cubes, and tomato paste, were given to Hon. Ugbor’s Senior Legislative Aide, Hon. Ajai Francis.
Francis, in collaboration with NEMA, transported the goods to Makurdi, Benue State, to be stored in a warehouse until suitable dates could be set for distribution under the supervision of NEMA and SEMA.
However, it is reported that while the items were being offloaded, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, in collaboration with a representative from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), halted the process.
They claimed that the governor had ordered the items to be moved immediately to Government House.
Despite multiple attempts to clarify that the items were released from NEMA’s office in Jos specifically for IDPs in Hon. Ugbor’s constituency, and efforts involving various government officials and security personnel including the DSS and Police, the Governor has reportedly remained firm in refusing to release the truck and its contents.
According to aides of Hon. Ugbor, the governor’s stance has caused significant delays in delivering much-needed relief to the IDPs, who continue to suffer in the camps.
The truck owner is also reportedly pressuring the lawmaker for demurrage charges as each day passes.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, has denied the incident and promised to investigate further
