FG Set to Bring Displaced Nigerians in Chad, Niger, Cameroon

The Federal Government has released N15 billion to bring home thousands of Nigerians in three neighbouring countries – Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic – who were forced to flee Nigeria at the height of Boko Haram and other terror activities in the North-east.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting of the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement Committee, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Weekend.
Zulum said, “few months ago, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria established a committee for the return and resettlement of displaced Nigerian living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon and Niger to Nigeria.
“Based on the recommendation of the Chairman of this committee, which is the Vice President, N15 billion has been released to the committee.
“We are here to discuss the modalities for implementation; who does what. So far so good a lot has been discussed. Many items will be procured so that the repatriation exercise will take immediate effect”.
Asked how many displaced persons have been brought back so far, the Borno State governor said “more than 300,000 have returned.
“But under this phase, we are yet to begin the process. This is the 4th Phase of the exercise we shall embark upon very soon.
“Guidelines were provided for respective agencies that are to handle this matter. What should be given to the individuals in terms of food and non-food items; what type of house shall we build; what is the transportation medium? What is the minimum threshold required to return people from the neighbouring countries to Nigeria? These are some of the issues that were discussed according to international best practices”.
Earlier, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has directed all government agencies involved in the implementation of the work of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North-east to harmonise items needed and their prices in all procurements to be undertaken on behalf of the Committee.
Osinbajo also directed effective monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the entire process.
At the meeting, presentations were made by the Borno State Government, the Military, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and the National Emergency Management Agency, following the release of the N15 billion by the President for the task.
Specifically, the Federal Government has released N6 billion to the Borno State Government, N3 billion to the Defence Headquarters, N2.5 billion to NEMA and N3 billion to the Refugee Commission for the first phase of the work of the Presidential Committee.
After presentations by the different government agencies, questions were raised about price differentials between quotes and local market rates, and also certain duplications of needed items.
Osinbajo who expressed serious concern over the price differentials and the duplication of needs however directed that the sub-committee on harmonisation of needs and prices should correct the situation.