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 toward the same people whose welfare the Governor works around the clock to safeguard. It also smacks of a convenient amnesia regarding the role the immediate past administration played in compounding the IDPs’ predicament.
Gov. 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, but not the site to move them. 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, their dignities. They will farm and earn legitimate income and raise funds that would prepare them for a final resettlement to their ancestral homes.
Gov. 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 or used for political propaganda. Some of these commentators kept a tight lid on their lips at the time–they lost their voices.
Governor Alia’s approach is rooted in a pragmatic and sustainable vision for the IDPs. 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, the Governor 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. It would be reckless and irresponsible to rush these vulnerable people back to unsafe areas where their lives would once again be endangered. This administration is actively working with security agencies to reclaim and secure these communities. Those desperate to criticize every step by Gov. Alia’s administration should 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. Alia has declined to weaponize poverty, abandon local government structures, and leave our communities vulnerable to incessant attacks, as was the case in the recent past.
Governor Alia is not only reversing these tragic legacies, but is also building a Benue that prioritizes security, development, and prosperity. He 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 not unwarranted criticism 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.
Tersoo Kulas
Chief Press Secretary, Government House, Makurdi
