The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Saturday, distributed relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable people in the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State.

Performing the ceremony in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area of the state, NEMA zonal coordinator, Eugene Nyelong, said the materials were facilitated by the member representing the constituency, Mr. Terseer Ugbor.

A truck conveying palliatives meant for IDPs in the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency was caught offloading items at a private residence along Kilometre 2 in Makurdi by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Upon discovering the incident, the governor confiscated the truck and moved it to Government House to ascertain why palliatives meant for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency were being offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi.

The governor later handed over the truck to the EFCC and ICPC for a full investigation. However, the issues were eventually resolved, leading to the distribution of the materials to the beneficiaries.

Mr Nyelong said the federal government, through NEMA, was committed to meeting the basic needs of those affected by emergencies and vulnerable people in the country.

He further commended the Benue state government for ensuring the fair and transparent distribution of the materials.

He said the sharing formula given by Mr Ugbor was that 60 per cent of the materials would go to IDPs and vulnerable people in Kwande, while 40 per cent would be for Ushongo.

Also speaking during the distribution, the acting executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, thanked the federal government for providing emergency response and fostering self-reliance for displaced and vulnerable persons in the constituency.

Mr Iorpuu also conveyed the appreciation of the Benue state government to Mr Ugbor for his efforts in lobbying for the materials for his constituents.

He emphasised that due process should always be followed to avoid the controversies that arose prior to the distribution of the materials.

Representatives of Mr Ugbor, led by Francis Ajai, along with the SSS, EFCC, and traditional rulers, were among those who witnessed the distribution.

The materials distributed included bags of rice, garri, seasoning cubes, groundnut oil, sachet tomatoes, mosquito nets, wrappers, and mattresses.

(NAN)