Executive Secretary of Benue Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu, has stated that 17 out of the state’s 23 local governments are facing attacks. He told newsmen yesterday in Makurdi that only Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Konshisha, Gboko, Ushongo and one other were not affected.

The ES, who is also Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, said the attacks have rendered hundreds of thousands homeless and financially incapacitated, among others. He warned that the Federal Government needs to dredge Rivers Benue and Niger, otherwise, flooding will continue to be a yearly problem in the country.

Iorpuu explained that the just-concluded Conference of State Emergency Management Agencies in Lagos had widened the horizons of emergency managers statewide. He argued that Governor Hyacinth Alia had performed beyond expectations.

The executive secretary dismissed claims by an independent assessor that Benue leadership under Alia had performed averagely.
“For the governor to have not borrowed money from any financial institution since assumption of office is a clear indication of purposeful leadership and accountability,” he said.

The ES explained that the “Divine Mandate”, a group that lobbied the governor to contest the 2023 election, is proud of the governor’s achievements so far.Iorpuu said the second phase would be launched towards the end of the year to showcase and sell him for the 2027 election year.