The Senate has expressed its total commitment to collaborate
with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced
Persons (NCFRMI) to ensure effective coordination of intervention efforts
geared towards protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of migrants and
IDPs in the country.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, made the
remarks when the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants & Internally
Displaced Persons, Ms. Sadiya Umar Farouq, led other management staff of the
agency on a visit to him in Abuja.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, further stated that the "Senate will look to see
how we can help strengthen the Refugee Commission’s capacity to coordinate and
monitor the activities of the various MDA’s involved in providing humanitarian
relief and administering livelihood programmes."
"It is very important for the National Assembly and the
relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responding to the
humanitarian and migration crises to meet to exchange information about funding
needs, service gaps and policy issues” said Saraki. “In this context, my office
stands open to develop frameworks to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to mitigate
future crises and build capacity for more coordinated responses."
The Senate President stated that the issue of illegal
migration needs to be tackled urgently so as to prevent those still outside the
shores of the country from engaging in illegal activities that will dent the
image of the country and other Nigerians who reside in such countries legally.
He said while it is important to ensure the safe return of
all those who illegally migrated abroad, there was a critical need to make
adequate preparation on how to integrate them through gainful employment.
Saraki said: “I think for many reasons, we should come out
with ways on how we can put a framework that will enable lots of our people to
come back, but in doing that, you must ask yourself what do you want them to do
when they come back. How do we integrate them back to the society?
"So, I think these two areas present enormous responsibility
for the Commission. They are important and we must support you to adequately
approach the challenges that are before you. This Senate is here to support
you. We are ready to give you all the support required for you to be able to
deliver. I want you to see this Senate as your partner," he said.
Earlier, Ms Sadiya Umar Farouq, said the visit was organized
to thank the Senate President for his ongoing advocacy and leadership efforts
to bring stability, rehabilitation and extensive Federal Government service
throughout the North-east region.
She further stated that the Commission realizes that the
role of the National Assembly is key in supporting the agency to address the
humanitarian crisis bedeviling the country.
She called for the support and collaboration of the Senate
in empowering IDPs, Refugees, Migrants and asylum seekers through appropriate
policies, legislations and budgetary allocations.
"The increasing incidence of forced displacement resulting
from ethnic, religious, economic and boundary conflicts, various government
decisions (local and international), natural and man made disasters, and its
attendant massive destruction to lives and property has compelled the
commission to embark of a search for durable solutions for Persons of Concern
and this requires enormous resources," she stated.
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