Alia confiscates fed. lawmaker’s palliatives over alleged foul play I will sue him if… Ugbor

From Scholastica Hir Makurdi

Benue state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has given reasons why he confiscated palliatives being transported and offloaded in Makurdi by a federal lawmaker representing Kwange/Ushongo federal constituency, Hon Terseer Ugbor.

Our correspondent reports that on September 11, 2024, Hon. Ugbor had brought in two trucks of palliatives and relief materials facilitated by his office and approved by NEMA for his people of Kwande/Ushongo constituency.

But instead of taking the palliatives straight to Kwande, it was gathered that the relief materials were being offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi.

Following a tip off, officials of Benue state government were detailed to the area on the directive of the Governor Hyacinth Alia, who confiscated the truck and drove it straight to government House Makurdi, a development that made people to accused the Governor of diverting the palliatives to Government House.

But briefing newsmen on Monday in Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia said the truck of palliatives were not diverted to government but confiscated after his administration suspected foul play.

Speaking 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 with the intent to recover them.

He said “The SEMA boss, Sir James Iorpuu in 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 kilometer 2, along Makurdi/Gboko road.

“Upon inquiry, it was discovered through the manifest that the palliatives came 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 out of intension to divert as being alleged in some quarters but that it has demanded that the person who attracted the palliatives to 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 and 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 can be released to him.

He also called on those alleging that he (Alia) hates Kwande people to desist from doing so explaining that on same the relief materials were being confiscated, the state government distributed 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.

He explained that Sometime in August, he approached NEMA demanding for relief materials for his people in Kwande and Ushongo federal constituency. When the materials got to Makurdi, I sent a Letter to the relevant security agencies informing them about it and I have understanding with the NEMA to offload the palliatives in Makurdi for two weeks since there is no warehouse in Kwande.

It was while the DSS and other security agencies were coming to inspect the warehouse for offloading that the government Chief Security Officer in company of other officials stormed the area demanding to know why we are offloading it there.”

He said he has done everything possible for the release of the truck but to no avail, threatening that he will take legal action against the state government if they fail to release the truck on or before Tuesday, September 17, 2024 as he cannot continue to pay demurrage on the truck.

He called on the people of his constituency, especially the IDPs, to be patient and calm as he is doing everything possible to ensure the release of the items.

He said the truck contains relief materials including 578 bags of rice, 578 bags of garri, 578 mosquito nets, 578 mattresses, 578 pieces of wax print, 58 cartons of vegetable oil, 58 cartons of seasoning cubes and 58 cartons of tomato paste.