Insurgency, killings: FG approves N10bn for rebuilding in Benue, others

Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

The Federal Government has approved N10 billionto rebuild structures in Benue and other states that were destroyed as a result of insurgencies and herdsmen invasions.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who disclosed this during a two-day visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State, yesterday, said the money would be used to provide security, resettlement of IDPs and restoration of farms and farmlands as well as education of the displaced children.

“We want to ensure that all villages that have been destroyed and attacked are secured.

“We want to ensure that IDPs return to their homes but, before then, places that were destroyed are rebuilt. Also, we must restore the farms and farmlands so that farmers can go back to work.

“Also, those who are not farmers, if they are into businesses, would be assisted to go back and do their business. We must also see to the education of the children.

“To ensure that all these projects are funded, the president and the full Security Council has approved N10 billion already; to rebuild places that have been destroyed across the country. The money is not only for Benue but for all places that were destroyed across the country,” Osinbajo stressed. He disclosed that President Muhamnadu Buhari asked him to take the responsibility of rebuilding areas that have been destroyed, and that the project would commence as soon as possible.Osinbajo, who visited the Abagena and RCM camps in Guma Lolca Government Area, assured that the places that would be rebuilt would be much better than places that were destroyed, even as he urged the people to keep faith with government.

“No one is doing you a favour by providing you security, shelter and education. These are your rights. All your sufferings us only the beginning of good things to come in your lives. The Bible says ‘weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.’ The morning has come and joy has come for you.”

He encouraged the people of the state to organise themselves so as to benefit from the micro-credits for women and artisans as well as the Anchor-Borrowers program of the federal government.

On his part, Governor Samuel Ortom appreciated the federal government for the concern shown to the state since the beginning of the year, after the killings.