, has criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia for claiming that his administration did not inherit any data on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.){kind=link}
Dr. Emmanuel Shior, the former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia for claiming that his administration did not inherit any data on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
In a statement released to the press in Makurdi, Shior expressed concern over the Governor’s remarks, questioning whether the state also lacks data on the Cameroonian refugees it is hosting.
He emphasized the critical role of accurate data in managing the ongoing humanitarian crisis driven by the worsening insecurity in Benue, which has contributed to an increasing IDP population.
“Governor Alia’s statement is a misrepresentation of the facts. My handover notes clearly documented data showing about two million IDPs and around 10,000 Cameroonian refugees in the state,” Dr. Shior said.
The former SEMA Executive Secretary, now a lecturer at the Federal University of Lafia, highlighted that the previous administration had established key partnerships and hosted symposiums to gather reliable data for effective IDP management.
These efforts involved collaboration with national and international organizations such as NEMA, UNHCR, and UNICEF, resulting in the creation of the Benue State Humanitarian Response Plan.
Shior pointed out that Governor Alia had previously acknowledged the same data in media engagements and discussions with humanitarian partners, expressing confusion over the Governor’s sudden reversal in position.
He also criticized the current administration for its inadequate handling of IDP issues, noting that many displaced persons have reported a decrease in the provision of relief materials since the change in leadership in 2023.
“What is particularly concerning is that while the Governor claims improvements for IDPs, new camps are being set up without sufficient provisions for their welfare,” he said.
Shior urged Governor Alia to promptly update and utilize the existing IDP data to better coordinate and manage humanitarian efforts, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of resources intended to support IDPs.