Benue ALGON chair seeks FG’s intervention for schools, infrastructure

The chairman of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Maurice Orwough, has called on the Federal Government to intervene by building schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure to support the people of the area, who were forced into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Orwough, who is also the chairman of ALGON in the state, noted that over 90 per cent of the schools in Guma LGA are non-functional due to repeated attacks by invaders.

He stated that many residents of the local government were displaced into IDP camps over time, and currently, only five schools remain functional in the entire council area.

He said, “Almost 90 per cent of schools in Guma LGA were destroyed. I doubt if up to five schools are now standing in the whole of Guma LGA. It’s the same with hospitals in this area. So we want the Federal Government to help build back these infrastructures.”
While praising the efforts of the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, Orwough acknowledged that the governor’s intervention in addressing the plight of IDPs has brought relief, enabling most of the displaced persons to return to their homes.

However, he expressed concern over the living conditions of the residents in Guma LGA, stating that most returnees have no shelter.

“We call on the Federal Government to do something for us in Guma – in the area of building shelters, destroyed schools, and hospitals. Our people are back to their villages through the efforts of Governor Alia, but there are no shelters for them to live in,” he said.

The ALGON chairman also appealed to compassionate individuals, NGOs, and corporate organizations to assist the government in resettling the displaced people and helping them regain their normal lives in Guma LGA.