Tor Tiv visits Benue flood victims, warn against diversion of relief materials

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, on Tuesday, visited the International Market Camp of Internally Displaced Persons in Makurdi to sympathise with the people, and warned against diversion of relief materials.
Ayatse, who is also the Chairman, Benue Council of Chiefs, was accompanied by the entire State Traditional Council to identify with the victims.
He warned camp officials against diversion of relief materials, adding that those who deliberately diverted materials would face the wrath of the gods.
He said they were at the camp to ensure that IDPs got “necessary support to enjoy minimum basic kind of comfort while in the camp”.
He said: “The relief should target real people that have been affected by the flood because there are some people who take advantage of situations when things like this happen.
“I want to appeal to camp officials to distribute donated materials to the victims and not to divert them to their homes.
“I also want to appeal that the items be given to those affected in other local governments too; people in local governments should also be assisted, even though the damage is worst in Makurdi.”
The Tor Tiv said the dredging of River Benue and construction of drains was the only solution to the flood situation in the state.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the quick response to the flood and Governor Samuel Ortom for dynamic handling of the disaster.
The state’s Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Dr Joseph Utsev, commended the royal fathers for identifying with the victims.
Utsev said the Benue Government was grateful for the visit and donations and pledged to ensure judicious distribution of materials.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the State Traditional Council donated 120 bags of rice to the IDPs.
An estimated 110,000 people were reportedly left homeless while three were confirmed dead by the flood that sacked some communities in Benue penultimate week.
Apart from rendering thousands homeless, the disaster also washed away villages, farmlands and food storage facilities, among others.