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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has provided an explanation for the recent seizure of a truckload of palliatives intended for the people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. The goods were allegedly being diverted by the lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor, to a private residence in Makurdi. However, Ugbor has denied the accusation, maintaining that the palliatives were being temporarily stored in Makurdi with the approval of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) ahead of their distribution in Kwande Local Government Area.
Addressing the media through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi, Governor Alia explained that the palliatives were confiscated after a tip-off, prompting the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and security personnel to move the items to the Benue Government House for safekeeping. The impoundment took place on September 11, 2024, coinciding with SEMA’s distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
“The truckload of palliatives was being offloaded at a private residence along Makurdi/Gboko road,” Kula said. “Upon inquiry, it was discovered through the manifest that the palliatives came from NEMA’s Jos office, and were arranged by Hon. Terseer Ugbor.”
Governor Alia expressed concern over why palliatives meant for vulnerable people in Kwande were being offloaded in a private residence in Makurdi. The state government emphasized that the seizure was not intended to prevent distribution but rather to ensure transparency, pending clarification from the lawmaker.
In response, Terseer Ugbor denied any wrongdoing, stating, “These are not SEMA palliatives, and no law mandates us to inform the state government before bringing Federal Government palliatives into Benue. It has always been standard practice to offload palliatives in Makurdi before distribution to local governments.”
Ugbor highlighted the significance of the palliatives, which include food items, mosquito nets, mattresses, and other essentials, noting that it had taken over six months of effort to secure them. He expressed frustration over the lack of communication with Governor Alia despite attempts to explain the situation and resolve the issue.
