Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue Sstate, at the weekend, appealed to the federal government to fulfil its pledge to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in various camps across the state.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had said, in May last year when he visited the IDPs at Abagena camp along Makurdi-Lafia road in Benue state, that the sum of N10billion was approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) to rebuild destroyed areas in Benue and other states in the country. Ortom, who made the appeal when he received the President of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Reverend Stephen Panya Baba, at the Government House in Makurdi, said the federal government needed to fulfil the promise.

The governor said resources of Benue State had been overstretched in managing the IDP camps, adding that if the federal government redeemed its pledge, the funds would greatly assist the state in returning the affected persons to their ancestral homesHe further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call for a National Dialogue Forum where Nigerians would frankly speak on issues affecting the country, particularly insecurity and proffer solutions. He recommended that security operatives should not ignore those beating drums of war as an interim measure to end the wave of threats and counter-threats from different sections of the country.

Ortom however, condemned the latest order by the Fulani herders association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, urging its members to defend themselves as he described the directive as capable of causing unimaginable violence. The governor wondered why the group would continuously make inflammatory statements but its officials are not invited for questioning even as he called for national prayers for peace in all parts of the country. He expressed hope that the current security challenges would soon be overcome.

In his remarks, Rev. Panya Baba commended the governor for firmly standing with his people despite the security and political storm. He stressed that it was an indication that Ortom is a leader who truly loves his people.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ortom-begs-fg-to-fulfil-idps-resettlement-pledge.html