Benue partners UNHCR on IDPs, refugees empowerment, skills acquisition

…as a partnership is expected to provide 50,000 direct jobs

As part of efforts geared towards empowering internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and other vulnerable people in the State, the Benue State Government has finalised arrangements to partner with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on skills acquisition and empowerment of the IDPs, refugees and other vulnerable people.

Consequently, the State Government through Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has presented a signed Proof of Concept (PoC) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its innovative entrepreneurship and employment initiatives aimed at empowering internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, of BIPC, presented the Proof of Concept (PoC) while receiving Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations and Annett Günther, German Ambassador to Nigeria and other UNHCR delegations at the company’s water and bread factories in Makurdi.

Asemakaha explained that the PoC outlines BIPC’s comprehensive plan to provide sustainable livelihoods, skills acquisition, vocational training, and micro-employment opportunities to vulnerable populations in Benue State.

According to Asemakaha, the PoC note particularly requested the UNHCR to partner with the company in expanding the bakery for bread production, water factory, Emperor Fertilizer, Agro-Commodities hub and Benfruits factory, which is to start in two months.

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Other businesses the company plans to develop in conjunction with the UNHCR include, a normal saline factory, food basket, beer factory, central parking system, BIPC Nylon production, nail manufacturing, textile, and bread wrappers printing, among others.

While highlighting BIPC’s innovative initiatives such as the motorcycle hire purchase scheme, CNG kits installation and central parking system designed to help reduce unemployment among the displaced persons, Asemakaha stated that the interventions were estimated to create over 50,000 direct jobs impacting over 80,000 families.

Responding, Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, commended the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) for its innovation.

Raouf particularly lauded the company for providing economic support to the Cameroonian refugees at Ikyogen in Kwande Local Government Area and other IDPs, saying UNHCR would continue to be supportive in helping the company expand its business through a Public-Private Partnership.

The UNHCR High Commissioner lauded BIPC’s innovative approach, stating that the model was a shining example of how private sector entities could make a meaningful impact on the lives of IDPs and refugees, expressing willingness to partner with the firm through its approach of sustainable programming and Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which aimed at providing livelihood inclusion and opportunities for refugees and IDPs.

The IDPs and refugees, including Cameroonian refugees, Comfort Oya, Blessing Anyiman, and Nicholas Ukeyima, expressed gratitude for the skills they had acquired through BIPC’s programme.