As a way to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on some members of the Benue public, ChristianAid has expended the sum of N199 million on food, non food; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH) kits for 16 Communities in the state.
WASH Programme Coordinator, ChristianAid in Benue State, Mr. Tabat Baba, who disclosed this in Makurdi, during the project learning and reflecting meeting said the programme was funded by UKAid and implemented by ChristianAid in partnership with Community Links and Human Development Empowerment Initiative, an NGO in Makurdi.
Baba who noted that ChristianAid intervention in Benue dates back to 10 years said the organization had responses to issues of flooding, maternal and child health, strengthening early warning and early responses, response programme to IDPs in Guma and Makurdi LGAs.
According to him, the intervention is implemented under a programme named “Localized Preparedness Response and Project to the Primary and Secondary Impact of COVID-19 on the IDPs, Returners and Vulnerable Populations in hard to reach areas in Afghanistan and Nigeria, (C19 NALPER).”
“Our investment in Benue State is in the tune of N199 Million covering project cost, administrative and personnel among other costs with a huge chunk of it going into direct project implementation,” he added.
The project, he explained included training of health personnel, procurement of food and non food items and also personal protective equipments supplied to hospitals especially the Primary Health Care Centres as well as hygiene kits for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH) to the direct beneficiaries at the community levels.
He said since the five months programme commenced in May through September, 2020, across four LGAs; Vandeikya, Kwande, Oju and Agatu, a total of 22 primary health care centres have benefited, 1300 beneficiaries have enjoyed WASH kits while 740 beneficiaries have received cash from their livelihood support and lines.
He said ChristianAid promoted WASH activities in the state with digging of two new boreholes in Ishangevya in Kwande and Odugbehor in Agatu LGs and renovation of 44 old ones across the 16 Communities in the state.
He called on Benue State Government and community members to ensure ownership of the programme for sustenance, saying ChristianAid has established sustainability platforms across the Communities including community protection and health management committees, Community Project Management Committees, Community Influencers and the Hygiene Clusters.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Community Links and Human Development Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Helen Teghtegh said the palliatives have stimulated economic activities in the communities.
Teghtegh cleared the air that the selection of LGAs and the choices of beneficiaries were politically influenced saying they carried out thorough investigation to arrive at those chosen for the projects.
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She expressed her organisation’s happiness to partner with ChristianAid in touching the lives of the Benue people just as she called on other organizations to continue from where they have stopped to enable them reach more Communities.
Representatives of the benefiting Communities, Chief Ogbu Emmanuel from Oju, Anthony Ikwulono from Agatu, Terungwa Teryila from Kwande, Mrs. Cecilia Ogbene among others, thanked the organization for coming to the aid of the poor especially at this time of economic hardship.
They said that many of the beneficiaries had used the money given to them to invest in various businesses especially in buying inputs for their farm work.
“In fact, the cash donations have improved petty trading, helped us to get seedlings and other inputs for our farms. It has also reduced the level of indebtedness and other burdens placed on most bread winners in my community,” Chief Ogbu said.
