Benue State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, has reassured the Women Wing of the Wurukum Rice Mill Welfare Association of the Benue State Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s seven‑point agenda.
During a courtesy visit by the association’s delegates to her office in Makurdi, the Commissioner acknowledged the challenges arising from the ongoing road construction that led to the demolition of their rice‑mill quarters along the Wurukum axis. She explained that the road project is a developmental initiative intended to improve the state, not to cause hardship, and noted that delays in vacating mapped‑out areas often create such difficulties.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the ministry’s Assistant Information Officer, Ochanya Okoh, Hon. Ikwue expressed her readiness to support the association and to relay their concerns to the appropriate authorities for prompt intervention. She advised the group to submit a formal application through the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Ministry of Lands, requesting allocation of an alternative site large enough to accommodate their rice-milling activities, and assured them of her commitment to follow up on the matter, reiterating that protection of lives and property remains a core value of the present administration.
The Commissioner also highlighted Governor Alia’s dedication to improving women’s livelihoods through empowerment programmes supported by the World Bank and implemented under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale‑Up (NFWP‑SU). She urged members to have their National Identification Numbers (NIN) ready to enable registration for the programme.
Earlier, the association’s Secretary, Mrs. Bridget Ameh, said the visit was to formally inform the Commissioner of the hardship faced by members after the demolition, which has significantly affected their business operations and prompted them to seek intervention.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Wurukum Rice Mill Welfare Association, Mr. Moses Bur, acknowledged receiving notice to vacate but said they did not anticipate the construction reaching their premises so quickly while they were still searching for an alternative location. He expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for her warm reception and assurances of support.
