STEVE ONI, ILORIN
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has spoken of plan to probe the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
and other agencies charged with the responsibility of overseeing the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons in their camps in the North-East, Nigeria.
In specific terms, they would be questioned about the allegations of diversion of relief materials to the various camps for the displaced persons in the country.
Saraki, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, said those fingered in a report made available to the Senate would be summoned to come and explain the details of the alleged diversion of relief materials meant for distribution to the internally displaced persons.
While assuring Nigerians that the Senate under his leadership would not shield any public officials indicted for corrupt practices, no matter how highly placed, the Senate President described the misuse of such relief materials as serious infractions that would attract severe sanctions on those found culpable.
It would be recalled that there had been series of allegations of massive diversion of relief materials meant for the camps of the internally displaced persons in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. The three States are classified as the worst hit by the Book Haram onslaughts. Some of the relief materials were reportedly diverted to outside of the nation’s borders.
On the war against the Book Haram insurgents, Saraki applauded the military, noting that the military operations have been hugely successful. He said what was only required by the military was to clear the insurgent remnants from the hot bed of the insurrection.
The Senate President assured Nigerians that the reconstruction of the affected areas in the North-East would begin as soon as the military operations were concluded.
He said: “The military operations being carried out in the North-East have recorded a major breakthrough. What is required now is to clear the remaining places like Sambisa where the insurgents are still present. We are worried about reported cases of diversion of food and other relief materials meant for the internally displaced persons.
” After the ongoing operations, the reconstruction would start. I want to believe that the diversion of items meant for these displaced persons must be treated seriously.
“Those involved would be invited. It is a serious offence and must be treated as such. NEMA and others found to be involved in the operation would be invited to explain why the relief materials are crossing our borders.”
Saraki attributed the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill to the renewed hostility in the Niger Delta region by the Niger Delta Avengers and some other militant groups, lamenting that since the onslaughts, the country has been recording huge economic loss. He, however, advised that dialogue should be employed to rein in the militants in order to restore peace.