At least 70 percent of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State lack access to safe water, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to finding durable solutions to displacement in the state.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday during the commissioning of a 500,000-litre water treatment facility in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area, implemented by IOM with funding from the European Union’s humanitarian arm.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, described the project as a significant intervention to improve access to potable water for displaced families and host communities.
He said the state government remains committed to strengthening partnerships that address humanitarian needs and disclosed that approval had been granted for water reticulation across Naka town, alongside plans to upgrade the dam to meet increasing demand.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, said the Federal Government would continue to stand with Benue in tackling displacement challenges, noting that the state reflects both the scale of humanitarian needs in Nigeria and the opportunity to move beyond emergency response toward restoring dignity and stability.
He commended the state government’s ownership of humanitarian efforts, particularly in water, shelter, security and coordination.
Also speaking, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Gautiér Mignot, said the EU-funded intervention had reached more than 33,000 beneficiaries through cash assistance, rehabilitation of the Naka water plant and construction of shelters.
She noted that Benue remains one of the states most affected by internal displacement and stressed the need to transition from short-term aid to durable solutions that would enable safe returns.
IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Mrs. Shalom Dimanche, revealed that more than 464,000 people have been displaced in Benue, with many expressing willingness to return home once security improves.
She said 65 percent of displaced persons reported health challenges, indicating the urgency of water and sanitation support.
Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, described the project as a milestone and appealed for sustained support toward expanding water infrastructure.
Following the commissioning, officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency and IOM conducted the delegation to the site of ongoing construction of 1,000 shelters for IDPs in Naka, with hundreds already completed.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that sustained collaboration among federal and state governments, development partners and humanitarian agencies remains critical to restoring dignity and long-term stability for displaced communities in Benue State.
