Ayobamiji Komolafe 
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has justified the confiscation of palliatives meant for a member representing Ushongo/Kwande Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugboh.
Speaking on the development, Governor Alia in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, explained that he acted on a tip that the palliatives were diverted to a private residence.
The palliatives, sent by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Jos, were impounded at the government house.
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According to Tersoo, the governor directed the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency to trace the residence and move the truck to the government house.
The governor alleged that the lawmaker failed to register the palliatives at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) office in Makurdi, sparking concerns about diversion.
“We have inquired from stakeholders and traditional rulers in the federal constituency and they said they were not aware of any palliative coming to their areas,” Tersoo said.
However, Ugboh denied any wrongdoing, stating that he collaborated with NEMA to transport the relief materials and had an agreement to store them in a Makurdi warehouse pending distribution.
The seized truck contained 578 bags of rice, 578 bags of garri, 578 mosquito nets, 578 mattresses, 578 pieces of wax print, 58 cartons of vegetable oil, 58 cartons of seasoning cubes, and 58 cartons of tomato paste.
Ugboh condemned the governor’s action, claiming it bruised his image and threatened to seek court redress if the truck isn’t released by Tuesday.
He also revealed that he expended over N5 million to convey the materials to the state.
Governor Alia assured that the palliatives would reach the intended beneficiaries in Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency once investigations concluded.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his support and interventions to the people of the state.
