The Benue state government, Saturday, addressed criticisms from what it describes as “the Association of Former Appointees of the last administration”, dismissing their claims as “lies, distortions, and
hallucinated grievances.”

The group Benue Advocacy Network (BAN) had accused governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of paying little attention to insecurity and failing to implement the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

The government in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, argued that it has adopted a fresh approach involving key stakeholders, particularly in neighboring states, to tackle insecurity.

“This approach has led to tangible results, including peace dialogues in Sankera and the return of peace in Guma, allowing residents to farm and harvest without fear of herdsmen attacks,” the statement said.

On Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the government clarified that most people in camps, especially in Guma, are there because their homes were destroyed and need to be rebuilt, not because the government has neglected them.

The government said efforts are ongoing to ensure their safe return to their ancestral homes.

The government highlighted improvements in the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, including a near-complete water project, an advanced-stage International Cancer Centre, and massive recruitment of medical personnel.

The government maintained that its diplomatic strategy, grounded in national and international frameworks, aims to find sustainable solutions to the herder-farmer crisis.

It accuses the previous administration of hypocrisy on open grazing and alleged that the current criticisms are part of a deliberate plot to discredit the government.

“Beyond addressing insecurity, Governor Alia’s administration has launched initiatives to improve the state’s infrastructure and economy.

“Notably, the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has taken delivery of electric and solar-powered cars for its Green Wheels taxi service, aiming to provide efficient and cost-effective transportation while reducing emissions,” the statement noted.