Senate clears agency of complicity in alleged IDPs relief materials’ diversion

Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume, on Tuesday cleared the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of complicity in the alleged diversion of relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-East.

Ndume told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the Senate could not found any evidence of diversion against the NEMA officials.

“No NEMA members of staff will be involved in diversion or stealing of any relief items meant for the IDPs,’’ Ndume said.

He said that the allegation of diversion of relief materials meant for the IDPs in Borno and Yobe was raised by him, adding that the contractor involved was the suspect.

The senate leader said that the contractor had been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation.

“I personally raised the allegation of the said diversion of the relief materials meant for our people (IDPs) living in various camps across the North-East region.

“What actually happened is that grains were ordered from strategic national grains reserves.

“It was awarded to a contractor to transport, but along the line, some got missing. The contractor is now before the EFCC,” he said.

Ndume, who visited some IDPs camps in Yola, said that strong commitment of the government was to shut the camps and return the IDPs back home.

He explained that all the IDPs camps visited were ready to be shut down as all people in various camps had shown enthusiasm to return to their homes.

Also, during the visit, Gov. Muhammadu Jibrillah of Adamawa, said he would join hands with the Borno and Yobe Governments to evacuate the remaining IDPs back home.

Jibrillah said, now that relative peace had returned to most areas, his government would support any move to evacuate the IDPs back home.

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He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his concerted efforts in reconstructing those areas destroyed by the insurgents.