92% of Nigeria’s IDPs yet to be reached —Lawmaker •Calls for implementation of IDP policies

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9 years ago

THE House Committee Chairman on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the House of Representatives, Honourable Sani Zoro, has disclosed that 92 per cent out of the 2.5 million IDPs in Nigeria are still to be reached.

He blamed this on the inability of the government to identify their various locations.

Zoro made the disclosure on Monday, at the commissioning of the skills acquisition centre at the IDP camp in Kuchingoro, Abuja, to commemorate the Nelson Mandela Day.

The lawmaker, who stressed the need to promptly address the situation, pointed out that of all conventions, Nigeria as a society, had an obligation to protect all IDPs in the society.

While also calling on the Federal Government to ensure the adoption of the IDP policy, he said this would serve as a road map for stakeholders, government and individuals in relation to IDPs.

He noted that the policy had been developed since 2012, but yet to be adequately implemented.

He also sought the adoption of the Kampala Convention, which was the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa.

The Kampala convention is a treaty of the African Union aimed at addressing issues on internal displacement caused by armed conflict, natural disasters and large-scale development projects in Africa.

On his part, the South African High Commissioner, Mr Mngunni Lulu reiterated his country’s readiness to partner the Nigerian government in its fight against terrorism.

He further stated that the country seeks to compliment FG’s effort saying:”we are coming in to intervene in terms of scholarships to compliment efforts of the Nigerian government. The struggle is a big struggle we need to join hands to bring change in Nigeria.

“In any history, there are outstanding personalities we chose the IDP camp because we felt that this was the area that needs our attention at the moment we saw them as being vulnerable, it is a message to the people in the North East that they are not alone, we are with them. We know that the government is using whatever it has to combat violence.”