IDPs: Reps to probe alleged diversion of multi billion dollars by CSOs, others

The House of Representatives on Thursday unveiled plans to investigate funds so far disbursed to various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country.

 

The funds donated include: the sum of N6.3 billion donated by Dangote and other individuals; $800 million donated by World Bank; $248 million donated by UNDP for the rebuilding of the North East out of which $24 million has been released so far; $200 million donated by United States; $750 million donated by Saudi Arabia and N900 million donated by the  donated by Australian  government, among others.

 

The resolution was passed following the adoption of the motion sponsored by Ali Isa (APC-Gombe), who expressed concern over the alleged diversion of funds meant for the IDPs.

 

The lawmaker who underscored that the huge contributions of Federal Government, wealthy individuals, international community and donor agencies who donated generously towards the resettlement of the IDPs, however lamented the deplorable conditions of the IDP camps despite huge funds expended so far on the resettlement programme.

 

While applauding the successes recorded by the security apparatus towards restoring peace in the troubled States and communities, the lawmakers observed that many of the displaced persons have not been able to return to their towns and villages.

 

Isa who expressed concern over series of allegations trailing the management of the monies donated to the IDPs, alleged that “most Civil society groups and Non-Governmental Organizations claiming to be working for the interest of the IDPs are doing contrary,

 

According to the Presidential Committee on North-East initiative (PCNI), from the sum of N55.92 billion pledged by donors in 2014 for the Safe School initiative, the N23 billion has been redeemed, while N1 billion counterpart funding was appropriated for Safe School Initiative in the 2016 Appropriations Act.

 

Additional sum of N5 billion was appropriated in the 2015 Supplementary Appropriated budget for the North East while N12 billion was appropriated in the 2016 Appropriations Act as Federal Initiative for North East region.

While ruling on the motion, Speaker Yakubu Dogara referred the motion to the joint Committee on Loans, Aids & Debt Management and IDP for further legislative action.

 

In a related development, Vivian Bellonwu-Okafor, Head, Social Action expressed displeasure over the likely outbreak of epidemic at various camps set up for millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

 

Bellonwu-Okafor noted that the unhealthy state of camps housing thousands of IDPs mostly dominated by women and children has continued to give strong cause for worry given the import on health and socio-economic well being of the residents and Nigerian populace as a whole.

 

“Many IDP camps in the country still house large population of persons in mostly shabby and over -crowded structures with inadequate and in some cases no provision of either water, security, sanitation, or health care facilities.

“This is irrespective of the fact of a teaming population of these camps residents being women and young children who are in particular need of these facilities. This makes these camps vulnerable to both security as well as health risks. Equally worrisome is the fact that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has found it convenient to disown several IDP camps in Abuja and other states tagging them unrecognized/unofficial and thus abandoning them to their fate,” she said