DISPLACED BENUE FARMERS SEEK GOVT. AID TO REBUILD HOMES

DESPITE the directive by ‪#‎Benue‬ State government that farmers who were displaced from their communities by Fulani invaders should go back to their farms, the farmers have cried out that they have nothing to return to.They appealed to the government to assist them rebuild their homes and farmlands, which have been completely destroyed by the invaders. Chairman of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the NKST Primary School, Ichwa camp, Joseph Ukpa raised the alarm at the weekend during the flag-off of distribution of relief materials to the victims by Christian Aid Nigeria in collaboration with Anglican Diocesan Development Society (ADDS) and Jireh Doo Foundation (JDF). Ukpa, who maintained that as soon as the state government announced the need for the victims to return home, they did so but had to return back to camp because their houses and farmlands were in complete ruins with no assistance to resettle them. “We tried to return back to our various communities, but on getting there, we discovered that our homes and farmlands were completely destroyed by the Fulanis. We don’t have any money with which we can commence rebuilding our homes, neither do we have anything to restart farming. That is why we had to return to camp.” Ukpa stated that the farmers only returned to the settlement to take part in the voters registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after which they returned to camp. Ukpa, however expressed the willingness of the farmers to go back if government can assist to resettle them by providing basic necessities such as shelter, food and security, stating that without this, it would be difficult for them to return home. Earlier, Country Director of Christian Aid Nigeria, Charles Ememazor, said the donation was to identify with the victims in their moment of trial. While thanking ADDS and JDF for their support, Ememazor also called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations and individuals to come to the aid of the farmers to enable them return to their homes soon. BENUE NEWS ONLINE http://benuenewsonline.wordpress.com