Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has launched the Benue State Action Plan on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Speaking during the launch yesterday at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Governor Alia said his dream as governor of Benue State was to see that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their ancestral homes and no longer need assistance related to their condition.
“Before I assumed office, my dream was to see a day when every internally displaced person will return to their ancestral home and no longer require specific assistance or protection related to their displacement,” he said.
He said the state government under his leadership had developed a long-term vision on how internal displacement can be a force to drive long-term development in the state using Return, Integration, And Resettlement as avenues to strengthen individual and area-level resilience.
The governor declared the State Action Plan (SAP) as valid for a period of five years, within which it would be updated to ensure its effectiveness in addressing the humanitarian needs of the people.
“Within this time, the plan will be evaluated and updated to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing the needs of the people of Benue State,” he said.
The governor said significant steps had already been taken, including the ongoing community dialogues aimed at fostering understanding, peace and reconciliation.
He added that communities had generously donated lands for farming and relocation and that the government was actively working to provide IDPs with sustainable livelihoods as they transition back to their ancestral homes.
The governor added that 10% of the 2025 budget had been approved for the implementation of the Benue State Action Plan on Durable Solutions.
“As part of the process of endorsing the Benue State Action Plan, and to demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring its operationalization, 10% of the state budget has been approved for its implementation,” he said.
He urged the federal government, UN resident coordinator, heads of UN agencies, head of EU Cooperation, ambassadors, international and local organisations and development partners to support the initiative and coordinate its operationalisation.
Governor Alia earlier took the visitors to see the about 280 hectares of dry season farm for IDPs at Tyo-Mu along Gboko road where he said the initiative was projected to provide sustainable better life for 500, 000 IDPs in Benue State.
Also speaking, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, applauded the initiative of Benue State government in addressing humanitarian challenges in the state and pledged the continued support of the federal government to the Benue initiative.
United Nations resident coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, after describing the Benue State Action Plan as the best in the nation, pledged the continued support of the UN to the Benue State government in her efforts to entrench peace and return IDPs to their ancestral homes.
Reacting on behalf of the IDPs, Joseph Akaajime, Benedicta Aburnya and Mrs Mourine Nyiekaa thanked Governor Alia for putting their situation at the front burner of his administration, adding that some of them have returned home and others are going to their farms.
They expressed hope that with this new initiative, they are looking forward to enjoying permanent peace which will make all of them return back to their homes.