Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri September 27, 2019.
The Chairman of Ad-hoc House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hon. Igariwey Enwo; has said that the National Assembly will adopt the Kampala Convention to overcome challenges of living conditions in camps. While domesticating the convention, the Ad-hoc committee, will also partner with relevant agencies in returning IDPs to their communities in Borno state. Enwo disclosed this Friday in Maiduguri, while briefing journalists on outcome of committee’s visits to IDP camps in Maiduguri and Bama.
He said there are serious challenges in the various camps visited by the committee members yesterday. “By Parliamentary practice, we come and see. The next thing is we go and do our report,” he said. Such report, according to him, is to overcome the challenges of living conditions of IDPs in camps and their infrastructure. He said issues of sanitation, housing and basic necessities to life, which IDPs are entitled in camps, are very important. He said even though the people are displaced from communities, but they have not lost their rights as citizens. “They are still entitled to all the good things we’re entitled,” he said.
He said there is an international convention, The Kampala Convention that governs how IDPs should be treated. He said that as Nigeria, is a signatory to the Convention, the National Assembly based on the ad-hoc committee report to be submitted, will domesticate its instrument. According to him, the Kampala Convention will provide a holistic approach to the issues of IDPs in the country. He however noted that there is a lot to be done. Speaking on counter-insurgency operations, Enwo said: “During our engagement with the Theatre Commander and the Air Chief here in Maiduguri, there is clear nexus between the success of their operations and welfare of IDPs “When you talk about the IDPs going back to their homes, they are two basic things we look out for.
One, is their return must be voluntary as we cannot force them to return to their liberated communities. “They will return at their own free will that yes, I feel like returning to my home. “The second one is the safety of communities. This will prevent the returnees from danger or further conflict.”
