Controversy as Alia Seizes Rep Constituency Palliatives

Controversy as Alia Seizes Rep Constituency Palliatives

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia yesterday reportedly confiscated two trucks of relief materials meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kwande/Ushongo Federal constituency of the state.

The materials worth several millions of naira were facilitated by the office of the member representing Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency, Terseer Ugbor.

It was gathered that the materials were brought to the constituency to ameliorate the pains and agony of residents who had fled the areas as a result of killings in the area.

It was further gathered that on September 11, 2024, Ugbor had brought in two trucks of palliatives and relief materials facilitated by his office and approved by NEMA for his people of Kwande/Ushongo constituency.

But instead of taking the palliatives straight to Kwande, the relief materials were offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi.

Following a tip off, officials of the Benue State government were detailed to the area on the directive of the governor and confiscated the truck and drove it to Government House Makurdi.

This development led accusation that the governor diverted IDPs palliatives.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Makurdi, Alia said the trucks of palliatives were not diverted to but confiscated after his administration suspected foul play.

The governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula said he got a tip off that State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) relief materials meant for IDPs and vulnerable people in Kwande and Ushongo Federal Constituency were diverted.

He said he ordered SEMA officials to go after the palliatives and recover them.

The CPS explained, “SEMA boss, Sir James Iorpuu in company of security personnel from Operation Zenda moved to the site where the trucks were and discovered that the palliatives were being offloaded in a private residence at kilometer 2, along Makurdi/Gboko road.

“Furthermore, findings showed that in the manifest the palliatives come from NEMA, Jos, North Central office and the manifest indicated that the palliatives were brought in by the federal lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo constituency Hon Terseer Ugbor.

“The governor became worried wondering why palliatives meant for vulnerable people in Kwande would be offloaded in a private residence in Makurdi.

“The government did not seize the palliatives with intention to divert as being alleged in some quarters but that it has demanded that the person who attracted the palliatives to come and provide explanations before the truck can be released to him.

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“It has been a standing policy that all palliatives sent to the state for IDPs and vulnerable people, from NEMA, international agencies and other donor agencies usually pass through SEMA for transparency and accountability.”

The governor alleged that due process was not followed and that offloading those items in Makurdi instead of Kwande/Ushongo LGAs where the beneficiaries are located was suspicious.

He advised the lawmaker to come and provide explanations on why the palliatives were taken to a private residence.

He called on those alleging that he (Alia) hates Kwande people to desist from doing so explaining that the state government had distributed same relief materials to IDPs in Kwande.

But in his swift reaction, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency expressed disappointment with the governor and state government.

According to him, it is unfortunate that the governor and his government would politicize items meant for vulnerable people.

Ugbor said he followed due process before the items were released to him through NEMA.

He narrated how it happened: “Sometime in August, I approached NEMA and requested for relief materials and palliatives for my people in Kwande and Ushongo Federal Constituency.

“When the materials got to Makurdi, I sent a letter to the relevant security agencies informing them about them and I have understanding with NEMA to offload the palliatives in Makurdi for two weeks since there is no warehouse in Kwande.

“It was while the DSS and other security agencies were coming to inspect the warehouse and monitor the offloading that the governor’s Chief Security Officer in company of other officials stormed the area demanding to know why we were offloading them there.

“I have done everything possible for the release of the trucks but to no avail.”

Ugbor has threatened to take legal action against the state government if it fails to release the truck on or before Tuesday, Sept. 17 as he cannot continue to pay demurrage on the trucks.

He called on the people of his constituency, especially the IDPs to be patient and calm as he is doing everything possible to ensure the release of the items.According to him, the trucks contain 578 bags of rice, 578 bags of garri, 578 mosquito nets, 578 mattresses, 578 pieces of wax print, 58 cartons of vegetable oil, 58 cartons of seasoning cubes and 58 cartons of tomato paste. ( Daily Asset)