Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Perterside; has said that the distribution of tons of food, sanitary items was to devastating effects of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno. According to him, the donated food items and empowerment kits; is Agency’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps. While presenting materials and machines on Monday in Maiduguri, Peterside, who was represented by Victor Onuzuruike, the Director for internal audit said: “We’re aware of problems facing displaced persons in Borno camps. I personally share your grieves of sufferings in camps and host communities.
“What have been distributed today, is only to reduce devastating effects of being displaced from your homes and community,” noting that very soon, more humanitarian assistance will be donated as agency’s continuous CSR. He said the donated items and machines include rice, beans, millet, spaghetti, cooking oil, sanitary items and sawing machines. Speaking of state of IDP camps, he said that professional teachers that volunteered of teaching IDP children are to be compensated. He said the teachers in camps are doing a lot of work and sacrifices; that demands for full compensations. While thanking for the donated items and empowerment kits, State’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Yabawa Kolo; said that the food items and kits, are to be distributed to IDPs from the Lake Chad region. “The agency has touched our hearts, including the displaced persons in camps and host communities,” adding that with these donated items, the Kala/Balge IDPs are to be relocated to Maiduguri camps. She disclosed that with recent attacks in region, more people are displaced from their ancestral homes at Baga, Kukawa and a dozen settlements on shores of lake.
According to her, the Kala/Balge IDPs will therefore; be relocated to Maiduguri camps next month. On refugees in neighbouring countries, she said: “With the spread of insurgency into Lake Chad region and Sambisa Forest, many people fled to Niger, Chad and Cameroon for safety and shelter. She said that with increased displacement of people, 120, 000 refugees were recorded by SEMA in Niger, while Chad and Cameroon, have 12, 000 and 95,000 refugees. Kolo therefore, assured Onuzuruike that the 227, 000 refugees be repatriated before the end of this year.
