MAKURDI – Builder Victor Ama, the Benue State Project Coordinator (SPC) for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), has said that the Agency plans to construct a skill acquisition center in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
He explained that the center is expected to be constructed with the support of the World Bank, to train youths and widows in several skills as well as provide them with the necessary tools for takeoff for them to become self-reliant.
The State Project Coordinator dropped the hint at Ihugh, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable persons in some communities in the area last weekend.
The beneficiaries were drawn from St. Winifred Catholic Church, Ihugh; St. Roberts, Gbem; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Mede; Christ the King church; St. Robert Rectory, Adamgbe; St. Williams, Ugye and NKST church, Girgi, where a total of 1,500 bags of rice, 600 bags of beans, 400 gallons of groundnut oil and 200 bags of salt were distributed.
Ama explained that the initiative was part of efforts by ACReSAL with support of the State Government to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship faced by vulnerable groups in the communities, particularly, widows.
According to him, “This project is one project that we conceived and understand that the youth and the widows are the most vulnerable in the society; looking at the widows here, we felt that with the support of His Excellency, the Governor of Benue state, we need to get something for them.
“So we approached the World Bank and they graciously approved the idea of procuring these items and distribute to not just widows, the vulnerable, like the physically challenged”
“Let me speak particularly to the widows; we know that you are going through difficult times, however we have come with some food items. We are aware that some of you have children who should be in school but are not in school. Some of you are not engaged in any form of trade. We are looking at different ways through which we can assist you.
“We are also looking for ways of assisting the youth, but we will begin with the widows and then move on to the youth and find ways of assisting you to stand on your own.
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“Therefore, the governor has directed that we work out modalities aimed at empowering you (widows and youth) through skill acquisition, to ensure that your children go to school.
“So we will soon commence the construction of a skill acquisition center in Ihugh, where we will bring in skillful persons, who will teach you the necessary skills that you intend to acquire; after which the World Bank will provide you with the necessary tools for takeoff for you to become self-reliant.
“Today we have come with rice, beans and other food items, we will soon delve into other areas with the intention of ameliorating the hardship you are going through.”
While appreciating the World Bank for approving funds for the palliatives, Ama, also appreciated the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for the support, the state government has provided towards the actualisation of the objectives of the project.
The State Project Coordinator urged the beneficiaries to continue to pray for the governor at all times and to ask God to increase him in wisdom to steer the state in the right direction.
Also speaking shortly after the distribution exercise, the Chairman, Vandeikya LGA, Dennis Guda, charged the beneficiaries to resist the temptation of selling the food items, but use it for the purpose for which it was meant, to ameliorate their condition.
The chairman who lamented the harsh economic situation occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol that has had adverse effect on families, further appreciated government and ACReSAL for bringing the intervention to the LG.
Guda said, “ACReSAL should keep up with the good work; they are doing well. This has never happened before and this is the first of its kind and Victor Ama is doing his best; not just in Vandeikya, but across the whole state.”
Some of the beneficiaries, among them Mama Theresa Awuapila, Mamnenge Azua and Rebecca Gbem, who pledged that they would use the items for their family needs, thanked the state government, the World Bank and ACReSAL for the food items.
Supervising the distribution of the items, the Executive Secretary (ES), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, ACReSAL and the World Bank for working towards alleviating the plight of vulnerable persons in the area, including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), across IDP camps in the state. End.
