By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi
The Federal Government in collaboration with the Benue State Government, has distributed relief materials to IDPs and other vulnerable persons in Kwande and Ushongo local government areas.
The materials which were facilitated by the Honourable Member representing Kwande/Ushongo constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Terseer Ugbor were distributed at Jato Aka and Adikpo.
The acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, the representative of NEMA, Eugene Nyelong, representatives of Hon. Terseer Ugbor led by Francis Ajai, the DSS, EFCC, and traditional rulers were amongst those who witnessed the distribution.
The controversies surrounding the relief materials according to New Nigerian Newspapers sources, were due to breach of protocols and have been resolved as the materials were taken to Kwande and peacefully distributed .
Speaking during the distribution, the acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu thanked the federal government for providing emergency response and fostering self-reliance for displaced and vulnerable persons in Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas.
He also extended the appreciation of Benue State Government to Hon. Terseer Ugbor for his efforts in lobbying the materials for his constituents, adding however that due process should always be followed to avoid the controversies that came out prior to the distribution of the materials.
Also, the representative of NEMA, Eugene Nyelong thanked Benue State Government for ensuring fair and transparent distribution of the materials.
According to the sharing formula given by Hon. Terseer Ugbor, the IDPs and vulnerable people in Kwande took 60% of the materials while 40% was given to Ushongo.
The materials distributed include rice, garri, seasoning cubes, groundnut oil, sachet tomatoes, mosquito nets, wrappers and mattresses.