MAKURDI – Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), a World Bank assisted project, working in Benue State has declared it’s intention to construct not less than 200 shelters to house Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
ACReSAL, which is working in partnership with the Benue State Government, which would ensure the provision of land for the project intends to commence work with the construction of about 50 units of the houses this year, 2024, and likely construct another 100 or more shelters in 2025.
The Project Coordinator, ACReSAL, Builder Victor Ama, who disclosed this while inspecting land meant for the construction of the IDP shelters to be built at Gundu-Usha, Kwande LGA, also requested for land that would be used for irrigation farming in the area.
The Project Coordinator who was speaking with the Ter Kwande, His Royal Highness, Timothy Ahile, in company of the Executive Secretary (ES), Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu said, “Once you provide the land we will take the measurement of the area; work on the design and commence work. It will be a very big village. We will call it ACReSAL village, Kwande.
“This will be the first phase. We are thinking and intend to ensure that it is captured in this year’s budget so that if we start with the 50 units of houses (this year) we may construct 100 or even 200 next year so that the houses will be many.
“We understand the challenges that you are facing. His Excellency (Governor Hyacinth Alia) has said we should be transparent with you and see how we can assist in easing the challenges you are facing.”
Ama further said, “We are appealing to you to make available to us massive land for irrigation farming so that we will embark on all year round farming. We are also thinking that the place will be perfect if there are other sources of water in the area so that will supplement the boreholes that we intend to dig.
“There is a level that we may get to when we want to dig boreholes and in the event we exhaust that level, we may have to depend on the water in the surrounding area to supplement the boreholes we intend to provide for you.
“We have already commenced work on two boreholes; one at the secretariat, one at the church nearby and we will provide another one at a place to be determined by you”, he stated.
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Also speaking during the meeting, the ES, SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu noted that “They earlier showed us a land at Moor where the Federal Government has promised to assist to providing some infrastructure.
“But the Governor (Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia) thought it would be good if we are assisted with another land so that the World Bank will assist us to raise something and they (World Bank) have agreed, hence he (Governor) has directed me to bring the Project Coordinator to see the land.
“We came today so that you will show us the construction site because the people that intend to commence work on the site are already on ground.
“He (Governor Alia) has asked us to request that the Ter Kwande give a suitable site where we can farm, so that it reduce the efforts of having to transport food from Makurdi every now and then and let us know what crop to cultivate at this time of the year since the rains may soon end.
“He (Governor) has also made available to us a tractor so that work will commence immediately to start work on the cultivation of the land”, Sir Iorpuu said.
In his response, the Ter Kwande, HRH Timothy Ahile, observed that “We were muting the idea of constructing the shelter for the IDPs shelter at Nyihemba. But after conferring with other traditional rulers we realized that in the event of any displacement, the district that is the most peaceful and have never experienced displacements should be considered.
“So we agreed and suggested that if we are thinking of housing IDPs that are always on the run and for them to have some form of peace it should not be Nyihemba where you they are always exposed to attacks, because if you settle them in Nyihemba and issues arise again and they flee the area it would no longer be conducive and the aim and good intentions of government will be defeated.”
The royal father further pointed out that “For the area that was earmarked for farming we didn’t take into consideration the issue of irrigation. However, we will look at the place and if there’s a nearby stream in the area, we can find a way if channeling water to the place.
“Apart from that the activities of illegal mining has affected our land so much that we appeal to ACReSAL to come and take a look at the affected areas and see what they can do to help us reclaim the land”, the traditional ruler said. End.
