Gov Alia, lawmaker clash over impounded truck of palliatives

Governor Hyacinth Alia has justified the impounding of a truckload of palliatives meant for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, citing an alleged diversion by the conveyor, Terseer Ugbor, the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives.

According to the governor, the goods were being diverted to a private residence in Makurdi instead of being delivered to the intended beneficiaries.

However, the lawmaker refuted the claims, insisting that the palliatives were not diverted but were being temporarily offloaded in Makurdi with the approval of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) pending a scheduled distribution in Kwande Local Government Area.

Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, explained that the truck was impounded on September 11, 2024, after a tip-off and moved to the Benue Government House. The same day, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was distributing relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

He said, “The SEMA Executive Secretary, 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, Terseer Ugbor.

“Government became worried wondering why palliatives meant for vulnerable people in Kwande would be offloaded in a private residence in Makurdi.

“The government did not confiscate the palliatives because it does not want it sent to beneficiaries as being alleged but the one who attracted it should come and explain why it was taken to a private residence.”

Reacting in a statement, Mr. Ugbor who insisted that the items were not being diverted said “this is not the first time palliatives have been delivered in Makurdi, the state capital, before disbursement to the local governments.

“These are not SEMA palliatives, and no law says we must inform SEMA or the state government before bringing Federal Government palliatives into Benue. The requirement is to collaborate with SEMA for distribution.

“Recall that I have severally informed the IDPs of these expected palliatives during my visits to them, which has taken over 6 months of constant writing and follow-up to achieve.

“These relief materials include 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.

“All my efforts through calls and messages to the Governor to personally explain and assure him of my good intentions were ignored, but I sincerely hope the issue can be resolved as soon as possible to enable us to continue the process of facilitating these relief materials to the peaceful and long-suffering people of Kwande/Ushongo.”