Chibok Girls: Osinbajo says FG will review package for terror victims

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday promised a review of the budgets of Presidential initiatives meant to assist victims of terror attacks in the North East, especially those in the Chibok community of Borno State.

According to him, it is time the government reviewed the budget of the Presidential Initiative for the North East as allocations from both the federal government and humanitarian bodies were not enough to cater for those involved.

Speaking while receiving Borno Elders led by the State Governor, Kassim Shettima on a thank-you visit for the safe return of the 82 Chibok girls at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Osinbajo acknowledged the interventions of the Swiss government and the other international bodies who were part of the negotiations that saw the release of the 82 Chibok girls.

“We don’t know how much it will cost us to restore what was lost. It is a challenge before us. I believe that we cannot wait for another generation of leaders to do it for us. We must resolve to face our challenges.

“That is why when you speak of the budget of PINE and Borno state and the other initiatives in the North East. I think we have to take a second look on all of these issues

“We have to take a second look at the budget. What we are providing now is not even 10 percent of the cost. We will take out some areas to address in the shortest possible time. It is important that people don’t die while we are planning.

“So, I will suggest that we take some time out to look at these; the Borno govt, the federal govt PCNI and PiNE and other govt initiatives that we are working on and plan this better by outlining what is the priority and determine what it will cost us so that we can.move forward” he said.

Last year the National Assembly yesterday approved the virement of N213 billion from the 2016 Appropriation Act with the Presidential Initiative for the North East listed as a beneficiary of (PINE) N1.5billion.

Earlier, Shettima expressed gratitude to Buhari’s government for the safe return of the 82 girls stating that “We are here principally to thank Mr. President, you and all senior adies to Mr. President, DSS DG, the Army for bringing back our girls.

“There is no way international actors will continue to facilitate the negotiations if not for the integrity of the president.

“Buhari succeeded in moblizing the world for Nigeria. In no distant time, the insurgency will be a thing of the past”, he said.

Also speaking Ali Ndume, a suspended senator from Borno South solicited for government’s assistance to help raise more funds for the victims of the insurgency in the North East.

According to him “the humanitarian crisis is beyond anybody’s imagination. Everyday, one chid dies because of hunger. Children are out of school. We have millions of displaced persons. The whole Borno State is not up to the National Assembly budget. The feeding of the children is not something Borno State government can carry”.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Al-hassan said the rescued girls were now in stable condition even though they were still undergoing medical screening. She adde that the government is putting together a proper place where they will stay.