Acting
President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today in Maiduguri unveiled a new and more
effective distribution plan for delivering relief materials to Internally
Displaced Persons in the North-East which departs from the undignified practice
of forcing people to queue up for food.
Under
the new plan which Prof. Osinbajo kicked-off at the Bakassi Camp, camp
officials will now deliver food items to the IDPs at their door-steps in
exchange for a pre-issued voucher.
Unfolding
this new strategy, the Acting President disclosed that the plan is part of the
vision of President Muhammadu Buhari for catering to the needs and welfare of
IDPs in the North East region of the country
According
to the Acting President, with the new plan "we are incorporating the
voucher system which do not only make the process of relief distribution
transparent, it will improve our own data collection and our national capacity
to plan for what will be a quarterly exercise.”
He
continued: “as we restore and maintain security in the region, we must not lose
sight of the need to provide social service, food, education, healthcare,
shelter as well as resettlement and livelihood support.
“Today,
the Federal Government flags off what will be a quarterly grain distribution
programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and by this, we are saying to
our brothers and sisters in the Northeast that our country does not take their
burdens lightly and we are not blind to their difficulties.
“I
am particularly pleased to say that the grains that we’ll be distributing,
which comprise of Sorghum, Maize, Soya Beans, and Rice, are produced locally;
they are produced here in Nigeria by our own farmers.
“This
has always been the vision of Mr. President for our country, to grow what we
eat, and to eat what we grow and to use what we make. These grains have
travelled from various locations across the country, from as far afield as
Ibadan, and as close as Gombe; escorted and protected by the Nigeria Police
Force, the Nigerian Military and in some cases will be airlifted by the Nigeria
Air Force.”
He
also added that the Federal Government would work closely with States to
provide other assistance including health services to the IDPs.
Prof
Osinbajo commended the partnership support from international partners
such as the UN, World Food Programme, NEMA, the Military, the Police, other
security agencies and State Governments in the region.
The
Acting President who on arrival paid a courtesy visit on the Shehu of Borno,
Umar Abubakar Gabai Ibn El-Kanemi in his palace, told the traditional ruler and
members of his Emirate Council that President Buhari sees the welfare of the
IDPs as the responsibility of government.
During
his remarks, the Shehu of Borno thanked President Buhari for his commitment to
the restoration of peace in the State and entire region. He noted the laudable
efforts of the Buhari Presidency at recovering the kidnapped Chibok girls and
attending to the welfare of IDPs across the region.
Earlier
upon arrival in Maiduguri, the Acting President inspected the consignment
of about 30,000 metric tonnes to be delivered across the region by 1,032
trucks. The distribution is for affected persons in of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa,
Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe States.
Prof
Osinbajo during the visit also inspected some facilities such as the NEMA
warehouse, the Bakassi IDP camp office and the premises of School A located
within the camp.
With
the Acting President at the event were governors from the region, including
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, and Governor Mohammed Abdullahi
Abubakar of Bauchi State. Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar D. Ali was also
present alongside members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal
Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, the
National Security Adviser to the President, General Baba Munguno, Rtd, Chief of
Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General
Tukur Buratai, the Governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele amongst several
dignitaries.
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