President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today ( Friday) stated
that accountability and oversight must be necessary components in the nation's
efforts to rehabilitate the insurgency-ravaged North East zone.
Saraki's statement was in response to the conclusion of the
four-day visit by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights of
internally displaced persons (IDPs), Dr. Chaloka Beyani. The Senate President
indicated that he was encouraged to learn that the international community is
beginning to pay more attention to the suffering in the North East.
"We are hopeful about the increasing international attention
being shown toward the North East. On our part, we need to make sure that our
accountability mechanisms generate confidence in our ability to absorb and
monitor the delivery of aid material and resources", he stated.
The Senate President added that Nigeria was heading in the
right direction in tackling the North East’s humanitarian crisis, however,
there are still many issues in the areas of accountability, such as sexual
abuse, lack of protection and the provision of basic services that need to be
addressed.
"Gradually but surely, we are heading in the right
direction. However, let us not take our foot off the gas pedal. We must make
accountability an expectation in Nigeria's humanitarian relief infrastructure.
Accountability must be built into all aspects of the relief to rehabilitation
effort to promote greater confidence in our capacity", he added.
He also emphasised that there is a need to focus less on the
sensational stories of corruption in the relief effort and instead focus on
more transparent systems to root out corruption and profiteering. Saraki
further stated that when the 8th Senate resumes sitting later in the month, the
humanitarian crisis in the North East will be a high priority.
"As Senate President, I am sure that I speak for many of my
colleagues when I say that we are more than willing to work with any and all
Nigerian and international stakeholders to restore development, dignity and
hope to the people of the north east", he stated.
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