TheCable

Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, says the federal government has commenced the construction of resettlement homes for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue.

Edu spoke during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of Renewed Hope shelter for IDPs at Tatyo and Kyo communities in Makurdi north LGA of Benue.

She said President Bola Tinubu has promised to work with states to resettle IDPs in their ancestral homes.

The minister added that the project in Benue is to fulfil the promise to address poverty and humanitarian crises.

“Benue people have cried enough, they have struggled enough, they have been in pain enough, President Tinubu says it is time for Benue people to rejoice,” she said.

“To all those who have come all the way from the IDP camps to witness this event, this is the beginning of the journey for your return to your ancestral homes.

“President Tinubu has a points agenda, the first agenda is food security and the people of Benue are key to achieving that.

“Benue is known as the food basket of the nation when we talk about food security, the hope of the nation is on Benue, therefore, we cannot allow the state to go through pain and anguish.

“President Tinubu does not want to keep IDP camps. He doesn’t want the people of Benue to be staying in shanties.

“He wants you to have a dignified house where you can call your home, where you can sleep in peace with your eyes closed, wake up and go to your farm.

“The president is keeping to his promise; we have laid the foundation for the building of the renewed hope shelter for poor IDPs in Benue.

“This project will be completed within six months so that they can immediately return to their ancestral homes.

“Every cluster will have 20 houses; this will allow them to resettle in their various communities. We will buy the materials in Benue and the locals will build these houses themselves.”

Also speaking, Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benur said the IDPs have been waiting to be returned to their home to carry on with their farming activities.

Alia said the underground security deployed in the state has made it possible to experience relative peace in parts of Benue.

“They’ve been longing to get back home and do what they know how to do best, which is farming,” the governor said.

“We have been working with the youths, security and faith-based organisations among others to ensure that the displaced persons get on their feet again and possibly return to their ancestral homes.”