The budget for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) meant for the management of humanitarian crises in the North-East, which was increased from N6 billion to N10 billion, drawn from the Presidential Initiative, which was inaugurated by President Buhari, a year ago, is yet to yield tangible result with over half of the money appropriated already released.
This was the position of Senator Bashir BabaKaka, representing Borno Central Senatorial District, during Tuesday plenary through a motion he sponsored with 17 other lawmakers on 'Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East'.
Senator Babakaka noted further that the unfolding Crisis in the region and the gross loss of lives of children under five years is calamitous, saying that “about two million people could not be reached by aids and are at risk of starvation in the zone while Western diplomats believe government's response remains a disgrace.”
Lawmakers deliberated extensively on the issue and called on the Senate to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to ascertain how much has been released to the Presidential Initiative on the North East and how these funds have been utilised from inception to date.
Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, who spoke in support of the motion explaining the traumatic situation of IDPs and inhabitants of the North East, noted that trucks containing relief materials are being diverted on a daily basis in their numbers and however pleaded with his colleagues to support the motion.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu, in his contribution, also decried the state of affairs in the region and the diversion of funds meant for relief materials to the detriment of human lives.
A lawmaker, Senator Sam Anyanwu, representing Imo East, also averred that "the intensity of deliberation on the crisis is not necessary rather, an ad-hoc committee should be set up to launch a full investigation into the situation of things in the North-East.
Lawmaker representing Benue East, Senator Barnabas Gemade, in his comment appealed to all members of the legislature to be involved in restoring the situation in the North-East as it has wreaked unimaginable havocs.
Senator Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe North, maintained that there is a need to know exactly what comes in as foreign assistance and what the government must do about the fund, adding that “the affected states must have a close relationship with Federal Government agencies to ensure engagement.”
•Photo shows an IDP Camp.
