*To Hold Public Hearing
*Senators to donate N33m to IDPs
The Senate on Tuesday set-up an adhoc committee to probe
spendings by the Federal Government on the humanitarian crisis in the
North-east in view of the allegation of massive diversion of relief materials
meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Adhoc Committee chaired by Senator Shehu Sani from
Kaduna State is also to hold a public hearing to unravel the funds already
committed to ameliorating the plight of the IDPs, and how the fund is being
expended by the agencies of government saddled with the responsibility. The
Senators also resolved to donate N32.7million to be contributed by the 109
Senators in support of the IDPs in the area of welfare.
These and other resolutions of the Senate followed a motion
titled "Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East sponsored by
Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno Central) and co-sponsored by 18 other
senators.
Senator Garbai in his lead debate urged the Senate to note
with grave concern the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the North Eastern part
of the country which has continued to be of concern to the international
community and the media.
He noted that according to UNICEF report, about 4.5million
people are in dire need of assistance, while one million of the number were in
danger of extreme malnutrition.
He lamented that about two million people are beyond the
reach of aid and presently at the risk of starvation, thereby making Western
diplomats to describe the response of the Federal Government to the crisis as a
"disgrace."
He urged his colleagues to note the disturbing development
on the prevailing degrading condition in the various IDP camps, and added that
"already we are losing so many of our children under five years to this
extreme conditions in the affected areas."
He stated that in spite of the earlier resolution of the
Senate that raised the budget for the IDPs from N6billion to N10billion in
recognition of the dire situation in the North East, the Presidential
Initiative on the North East is yet to show tangible result on ground with half
of the appropriated sum released.
"...Notwithstanding the huge budgetary allocation by
the National Assembly, and the various releases by the executive...including
significant donations from many donors, the situation on ground is not
cheering," he said.
He further called on the Red Chamber to be "worried
that rather than use the money appropriated for the IDPs and the North East to
ameliorate the problems, the focus of the disbursement so far made have been
used to feather other interests."
The Senator insisted that the "incoherent and largely
fragmented state of procurement in the usage of the released funds so far
points to a vague and corrupt scheme that is not in tune with helping our
people in the North East out of their present harrowing experience and misery."
He added: " the government has made concerted efforts
at ameliorating the sufferings of the IDPs, some other people are working
towards undermining same efforts; there are some allegations of diversion of 63
trucks of grains released from the strategic grain reserve allocated to IDPs in
Borno State by the Federal Government.
"The gap in the state of affairs, where so much money
has been made available by government with very little to show for it, has
created and overburdened the cash strapped states and local governments in the
affected states. Also, the intensity of the crisis was exemplified in August
when IDPs took to the streets to obstruct vehicular movement and grounding
business activities along the Maiduguri- Kano/Jos Road - the major road leading
into Borno, to protest what they claimed was a shortage of food", he
stated.
Other Senators in their contributions to the debate on the
motion, decried the pitiable plight of the IDPs and urged the Senate to stand
up for the suffering, displaced persons.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his
remarks, lauded the sponsors of the motion and those who made contributions
during its debate. He described the revelations emanating from the handling of
the humanitarian crisis as serious and portraying poor coordination, lack of
transparency and slow response among those entrusted with the care of the IDPs.
"As a serious chamber, we cannot fold our arms and let
these things continue to happen. This investigation, I believe, will give hope
to the IDPs and the international community that the country is ready to do
something to stop the diversion of aids and misapplication of appropriated
funds meant for the upkeep of the IDPs," Saraki said.
0 Comments