By Chijioke Kingsley
The Federal Government that pledged to support over 1.5 million Internally Displaced Person (IDPs), scattered all over Benue State, has failed in its promise, leaving the burden for only Governor Samuel Ortom and the Benue State Government, a group has said.
The group under the aegis of Benue Youth Forum said the IDPs in the Northeast region get full Federal Government attention as against what is provided for Benue IDPs, an act seen to reflect Federal Government hostility to Benue State all because Governor Samuel Ortom “speaks truth to power”.
President of the group, Mr. Terrance Kuanum, who spoke in a statement sent to our correspondent on Friday, also accused the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, for conniving with the Federal Government to short change the Benue people due to his rift with Ortom.
According to Kuanum: “The Federal Government should hasten efforts to redeem its pledge that was made through Vice President Yemi Osibanjo to rebuild our destroyed communities.
“The Federal Government should also stop making a mockery of itself by denying Benue their share of the ranching funds knowing fully well that Benue is the pacesetter of the ranching revolution in Nigeria.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should realise that the over 1.5million displaced persons living in IDP camps in Benue State are citizens of Nigeria who also deserve to live. Adequate care should be extended to them in the same measure it is being done in the North East”, he said.
Kuanum, however, lauded the efforts of the boss of Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Dr. Emmanuel Shio, for spending sleepless nights attending to IDPs in the State.
He urge the people to continue to support Shio in his efforts to ensure that Benue IDPs survive despite the Federal Government neglect.