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Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has given reasons why he confiscated palliatives being transported and offloaded into Makurdi by a federal lawmaker representing Kwange/Ushongo federal constituency, Terseer Ugbor. Recall that two trucks of palliatives facilitated by Ugbor and approved by NEMA for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal constituency were reportedly impounded by Gov Alia on
Federal lawmaker’s palliatives confiscated for being offloaded at a private residence – Alia
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has given reasons why he confiscated palliatives being transported and offloaded into Makurdi by a federal lawmaker representing Kwange/Ushongo federal constituency, Terseer Ugbor.
Recall that two trucks of palliatives facilitated by Ugbor and approved by NEMA for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal constituency were reportedly impounded by Gov Alia on Friday in Makurdi.
DAILY POST gathered that the relief materials were being offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi instead of Kwande which was its final destination.
But following a tip-off, officials of the Benue State government were detailed to the area on the directive of the Governor, who confiscated the truck and drove it to the Government House Makurdi.
This has led to speculations that the Governor diverted palliatives meant for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency to the Government House Makurdi.
Governor Alia while briefing newsmen on Monday in Makurdi, said the truck of palliatives was not diverted to Government House but confiscated after his administration suspected foul play by Hon.Ugbor.
Gov Alia who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia said he got a tip-off that SEMA palliatives and relief materials meant for IDPs and vulnerable people in Kwande and Ushongo federal constituency were being diverted.
He said he ordered that SEMA officials should go after the palliatives and recover them.
“SEMA boss, Sir James Iorpuu in the company of security personnel from Operation Zenda moved to the site where the trucks were and discovered that the palliatives were being offloaded in a private residence at kilometre 2, along Makurdi/Gboko road.
“Upon inquiry, it was discovered through the manifest that the palliatives come from NEMA, Jos, North Central office and the manifest indicated that the palliatives were brought in by the Federal lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo constituency Hon Terseer Ugbor.
“Government became worried wondering why palliatives meant for vulnerable people in Kwande would be offloaded in a private residence in Makurdi.”
He explained that the government did not seize the palliatives with the intention to divert them as being alleged in some quarters but that it has demanded that the person who attracted the palliatives come and provide explanations before the truck can be released to him.
According to Governor Alia, it has been a standing policy that all palliatives sent to the state for IDPs and vulnerable people, either from NEMA, International agencies or other donor agencies usually pass through SEMA for transparency and accountability.
The Governor alleged that due process was not followed and that offloading those items in Makurdi instead of Kwande/Ushongo LGA where the beneficiaries are located was suspicious.
Alia urged the lawmaker to come and provide explanations on why the palliatives were being taken to a private residence before they could be released to him.
He also called on those alleging that Governor Alia hates Kwande people to desist from doing so, explaining that the relief materials were being confiscated and the state government distributed the same relief materials to IDPs in Kwande.
Reacting to the development, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, who attracted the palliatives, Rep. Terseer Ugbor, expressed dismay over the action of the state government and wondered why items meant for vulnerable people would be politicized in such a manner.
Ugbor said due process was followed before items were released to him through NEMA.
Federal lawmaker’s palliatives confiscated for being offloaded at a private residence – Alia