By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has commenced the relocation of about 20,000 Internally Displaced Person, IDPs.
They were relocated as a result of inconvenient living conditions from locations in Makurdi town, Daudu and Uikpam in Guma Local Government Area, LGA.
The Executive Secretary of Benue SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, while flagging off the ceremony, said that Benue governor, Samuel Ortom approved the new camp to provide a conducive environment for IDPs housed at the LGEA Primary School Daudu, Uikpam host community and those on University of Agriculture Road, Makurdi.
He warned non IDPs who disguise into IDPs camps to cause confusion, pleading with stakeholders to support SEMA to properly sensitize such people to desist from such acts.
The Manager Humanitarian and Residence, Action Aid, David Habba said his organisation constructed the shelter at the new camp because of its cordial working relationship with Dr. Shior led SEMA and sued for its sustenance’s.
The federal government to pay greater attention to the pitiable condition of IDPs in the state. The relocation of the IDPs to a newly built camp in Uikpam Guma LGA is being carried out in collaboration with humanitarian partners including Doctors Without Borders, Action Aid, International Committee for the Red Cross and Nigeria Red Cross.