Nigeria needs global effort to tackle problem of IDPs – Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, has declared that Nigeria required global initiative to tackle the problem of internally displaced persons from the north-east region, following the deadly attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect.

Dogara made this known, on Thursday, in Abuja, when he led a delegation of the House to donate foodstuff and other essential items to internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Wasa, located in the Apo District of Abuja.

He disclosed that as part of efforts to galvanise and mobilise global efforts to solve the problem confronting the IDPs, the leadership of the House would address a selected audience at Chatham House, London, to speak on the issue.

He said that “the issue of the IDPs is a global problem that needs a global solution” and promised to use his position to address some of them experienced by the IDPs, so as to bring succour to the victims.

He commended the Buhari administration for showing concern for the plight of the displaced persons and the security challenges confronting the north-east region, especially in his appointment of prominent sons and daughters from there to handle the rehabilitation efforts.

According to him, the government must ensure that it not only provided succour to the IDPs but quickly bring the insurgency to an end and return the displaced persons to their homes.

While expressing the belief that the violence being perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect in the affected states of the north-east would soon be brought under control by the military, he added that it would be ill-advised for government to forcefully send the people back to their homes when the level of violence hadn’t been brought under control by the military.

“The problem confronting the north-east is being championed in the House and the Senate and, very soon, the bill to address the challenges facing the region will be passed into law. We believe the issue of the IDPs cannot be resolved through mere policies of government, but through legislation so that any administration in power will continue to address the plight of the people of the north-east and not stopping the implementation of the law as this will mean such a government will contend with the National Assembly”, he added.