Rev Fr. Alia has not endorsed tribal colonies in Benue – Official

Benue State has not approved colonies for any tribal group in the state, the government declared on Monday in Makurdi. Mr Tersoo Kula, media aide to Gov. Hyacinth Alia stated that the governor was instead committed to the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes. “The story that the governor has approved the establishment of colonies for cattle breeders is false and should be disregarded. “As earlier explained, it is a burning desire of Gov. Alia and the present administration to return IDPs back to their homes, as soon as possible. “Since most of the houses of the IDPs had been destroyed by marauding herders, the Federal Government has agreed to sponsor the reconstruction of new homes for our IDPs. “The homes are to be built in cluster formats, enabling people to live more closely with one another and to experience more stability,’’ Kula stated. He stressed that Gov. Alia would not do anything to undermine the goodwill of Benue people.