“The plight of the IDPs is not a matter to be politicized. It requires collective action, constructive dialogue, and genuine concern for the welfare of the people. Those attempting to undermine the Governor’s efforts raise questions about their goodwill toward the IDPs and Benue at large”.
BY TERSOO KULAS
I read some disappointing and misleading commentaries by some forumites regarding His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s honest exertions to address the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
To say the least, it reeks of a lack of goodwill towards the same people whose welfare the Governor works round the clock to safeguard.
It also smacks of a convenient amnesia regarding the role the immediate past administration played in compounding the IDPs’ predicament.
Governor Alia’s Durable Solutions drive is a forthright response to the failures of the previous government, which left IDPs languishing in squalor, with little to no hope of returning to their ancestral homelands.
The hectares of fields cleared are for the temporary farmland for the IDPs, and not the site to move them to as nobody is building “resettlement structures” on those lands.
The essence of this initiative is to liberate these vulnerable people by giving them back their lives, and their dignities. They will farm and earn legitimate income and raise funds that would prepare them for a final resettlement to their ancestral homes.
Governor Alia has refused to “consolidate” on a situation where the number of displaced persons in Benue quadrupled. Communities were abandoned to the mercy of armed herders, while resources meant for the welfare of these vulnerable people were squandered and or used for political propaganda.
Curiously, some of these commentators kept a tight lid on their lips at the time and completely lost their voices.
Pointedly put, Governor Alia’s approach is rooted in a pragmatic and sustainable vision for the IDPs as his administration understands that true resettlement goes beyond empty rhetoric or political grandstanding.
The Durable Solutions initiative is built on a foundation of dignity and security, ensuring that the IDPs are not just resettled but empowered to rebuild their lives.
By providing better shelters, skills acquisition, and access to year-round farming, Governor Alia is laying the groundwork for a future where no Benue citizen will be left at the mercy of foreign monstrosities.
The Governor’s commitment to returning IDPs to their ancestral lands has never wavered. However, such a process requires careful planning and robust security measures as it would be reckless and irresponsible to rush the vulnerable people back to unsafe areas where their lives would once again be endangered.
The Governor Alia-led administration is actively working with security agencies to reclaim and secure the communities.
It is important for those too much in a hurry and desperate to criticize every step by Governor Alia’s administration to appreciate and know better than to demand instant solutions to deep-rooted issues that were ignored for years by the previous government.
What is most troubling about most of these commentaries is the lack of acknowledgment of the Governor’s goodwill toward the people of Benue. Rather than recognize the genuine efforts being made to uplift the IDPs, they choose to sow seeds of discord and disharmony.
Governor Alia has declined and refused to weaponize poverty, abandon local government structures, and leave our communities vulnerable to incessant attacks, as was the case in the recent past.
The Governor is not only reversing these tragic legacies, but is also building a Benue that prioritizes security, development, and prosperity.
Significantly, Governor Alia has restored autonomy to Local Government Areas, strengthened community structures, and partnered with international agencies to chart a fresh path for the state. These efforts deserve commendation and not unwarranted criticisms from those who stood by in silence during the years of neglect.
The plight of the IDPs is not a matter to be politicized. It requires collective action, constructive dialogue, and genuine concern for the welfare of the people. Those attempting to undermine the Governor’s efforts raise questions about their goodwill toward the IDPs and Benue at large.
Governor Alia remains resolute in his mission to deliver lasting solutions for the displaced and all citizens of Benue. His administration will not be distracted by naysayers but will continue to prioritize the safety, dignity, and development of every Benue citizen.
…Sir Tersoo Kulas is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.
