Niger State Humanitarian Ministry debunk report on neglect of IDPs
Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has debunked report of neglect of Internally Displaced Person IDPs in the State.
The Director Media and Strategy of the Ministry, Habibu Wushishi, debunked the report in a press statement available to Newsmen in Minna.
He said the attention of the ministry has been drawn to a mischievous, callous and false publication by an online media platform “Beli Media” on above subject matter stating that the IDPs camps were deteriorating with thousands of them in dire need of basic amenities and facing health challenges.
Wushishi said the ministry was focused in discharging its responsibilities of serving humanity and addressing disasters of all kinds and do not wish to join words with such media platform.
He added that the media platform has not paid a visit IDPs camps, but rather sit on its comfort zone to write frivolous stories, adding it has become imperative to set the records straight.
He said the Ministry under the leadership of the Commissioner, Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu and the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Mairo Mohammed Mann and members of staff were committed to discharging the mandate of the ministry of ensuring that IDPs in the state were adequately taken care of.
He noted that the minstry had continued to distribution relief items such as food, mosquito nets, blankets among others since its creation on July 16, 2023 by Farmer Governor Umar Mohammed Bago.
According to Wushishi, such distribution of relief items had continued to June 13, 2024 when the commissioner, permanent secretary and other staff of the ministry in the presence of local government Chairmen, traditional leaders, party executive and other critical stakeholders at various local government areas distributed food items in various camps of the state
He said It was noteworthy to state that while at various camps at different times, people with health challenges and other forms of challenges are always profiled and given necessary attention through treatment, counseling and advice.
He said Tlthe Ministry had visited and was still visiting many local, national and international donor organizations who are also on daily basis assisting the displaced persons camps.
He listed such organisations to include; the North South Power Company, T Y Danjuma Foundation, National Commission for Refugees, UNICEF, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The director said it was pertinent to state that due to the commitment, deligence, strategy and careful planning, the ministry has sought and got approval of N3 billion to build a skills acquisition center for the north central states in Minna for IDPs to make them self-reliant.
He said the ministry’s doors were wide open for journalists and members of the public to visit, make suggestions/inquiries and seek for clarification whenever necessary which were the mandates for which the ministry was established.
