Posted by The Niger State House of Assembly has urged the State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, to prioritize the welfare of internally displaced people (IDPs) displaced by floods and banditry in the state.
The call was made by Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, in his office in Minna on Monday, when the Director General of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, led a management team to visit him.
He asked NSEMA not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring that all IDPs are cared to and given a sense of belonging, lamenting the activities of bandits as well as the effect of floods in 2023 that had rendered thousands of people homeless.
“Niger State is among the states that have been hardest hit in terms of banditry and flood disasters,” he says. The IDPs’ current situation is not their fault, and hence they deserve love, care, and attention.”
The Speaker also requested that the Federal Government come to the state’s aid by providing some relief goods to vulnerable inhabitants.
“We urge the agency to ensure that the state government’s meager assistance reaches the intended recipients.”
“Because we are the people’s representatives, their well-being is our top priority.” “We are concerned about the plight of IDPs in the state, and we will provide the necessary legislative support to the agency,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of NSEMA, Alh. Baba Arah, stated that the visit to the state house of assembly with his management team was to solicit support, noting that the state has IDPs in all seven local government areas.
“The majority of the IDPs are victims of banditry and flood disasters,” he went on to say.
Due to banditry and flood catastrophes, an estimated 7,000 people are seeking refuge in various IDP camps across Niger State’s seven local government areas.