The House of Representatives Committee on IDPs and the North-East Initiatives began its Investigation into how the Presidential Initiative on the North-East handled it’s responsibilities, especially in regards to the IDPs.

The Presidential Initiative on the North-East’s financial records indicates that it spent 270 million naira to clear grasses at the IDPs camps. And that PINE allocated N188.69 million for Nigerian refugees living in Minawao, Republic of Cameroon.

The Hon. Sani Zorro led House committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, Oct 6th. But couldn’t do much as the Secretary General of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; whose office supervises PINE, didn’t show up.

“We expected him to explain the implementation framework being used to spend money. We have been inundated by reports of diversion of materials and funds meant for the rehabilitation of the IDPs, and the North-East and the scandal had led to international embarrassment for the country. Given the issues of credibility and integrity raised against the agency in charge of the North-East
Initiative (PiNE) which falls under the SGF office, we had expected him to respect the invitation,” Hon. Sani said.

Executive Secretary in charge of the Presidential Initiative, Umar Gulani testified before the committee, saying the 270 million was for the removal of 250 kilometres of “invasive plant species along river channels and simplified village irrigation scheme (phase II) in Komadugu Basin in Yobe’’.

To this, the House committee said his explanation is not acceptable.

Source: LIB