Minister of State for Power, Hon Mohammed Wakil has warned against diversion of relief materials meant for displaced people in Borno state declaring that the Federal Government will not tolerate such inhuman act.
Receiving a fact finding report of a committee headed by Barrister Bashir Maidugu in his office in Abuja, Hon Wakil condemned activities of those alleged to be diverting relief materials, describing such conducts as “willful sabotage of the presidential initiative to alleviate the suffering of people.
“Let me put is on record that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to humanitarian care for victims of the insurgency. He is fully aware of the negative effects of the insurgency and counter terrorism efforts on innocent civilians. The entire administration is pained with this high level of displacement.
‘’Humanitarian agencies of government must continue to ensure that relief materials reach the intended beneficiaries. The alleviation of the pain of our people should never be played with. We will not tolerate diversion of materials because it is a show of ingratitude to the President who approved the materials and also an act of man inhumanity to man. We must support the President as the administration pushes on all fronts to combat the insurgency and provide relief for our people’’, the minister said.
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Barrister Maidugu, narrated the history of the committee and relief materials in the insurgency affected state of Borno and assured that the recommendations of the Committee will go a long way to address the crisis of relief materials distribution.
Maidugu who is also the Deputy National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party appealed to the minister to plead with Mr. President to consider allocating at least 1000 trucks of relief materials to the North East to avoid famine.
‘’ There are reports of drought in the neighboring Niger republic while most surrounding villages and towns around Maiduguri have migrated to Maiduguri, starving the city of traditional food items. The magnanimity of Mr. President last year is commendable as the purpose of strategic grain reserve has been achieved’’, he said.
