The Senate has asked its Appropriations Committee to approve N108 billion under the service wide votes for the relocation and resettlement of citizens who had been displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the North East region.
Following a string of military successes against the insurgents who had captured several local government areas of Nigerian territory, displacing millions of people, there is high hope that much of the North East is now safe for internally displaced persons, IDPs, to return to their homes.
The resolution of the Senate, Tuesday, seeking support for displaced persons, followed a motion by eight Senators from the North Eastern States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, which are areas worst hit by the insurgency.
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Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, moved the motion on “financial and material support, assistance to internally displaced persons returnees in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States”.
Mr. Ndume, who is from Borno State, noted that IDPs face difficulties resettling, hence the need for support and assistance to them.
He said the motion was “an SOS from the people of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States”.
Abdulazeez Nyako, Adamawa State, who seconded the motion, lamented the plights of the IDPs.
Binta Garba, also from Adamawa State, emphasized the need for palliative measures for the IDPs as they are returning to their homes.
But Gbenga Ashafa, (APC-Lagos State) queried how the relief materials will be distributed.
He said the passage of North East Development Commission Bill would aid in delivering the materials to Boko Haram victims.
Similarly, George Akume (APC-Benue State) demanded long term plans to rehabilitate the victims of insurgency.
