The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, laid the foundation for the construction of cluster settlements for internally displaced persons in Benue State on Thursday.
The minister arrived the state on Wednesday for a two-day visit
Unveiling the construction of the cluster settlement at Mbagwen in Makurdi Local Goverment Area of the state, the minister assured the people of the state of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resettle the displaced persons.
The minister said, “To all those who have come all the way from the IDPs camps to witness this event, this is the beginning of the journey for your return to your ancestral homes.
“President Tinubu has an eight-point agenda, the first agenda is called Food Security, the people of Benue State are key to him achieving that food security.
“You cannot reduce a food basket to hunger, President Tinubu says no. You cannot reduce the hope of a nation, the food basket of the nation, food security stronghold of Nigeria to one of pain and anguish. It is unacceptable and today is the beginning of that solution,” she said
She noted that the houses would be built in clusters through direct labour, adding that the locals in every community would be used during the project.
“This project would be completed within six months so that they can be immediately returned back to their ancestral homes.
The minister, who arrived in the state on Wednesday, is expected to return to Abuja Thursday.
