The Federal government has released N15 billion for the implementation of exit strategy and the immediate commencement of repatriation of the Nigerian refugees in the neighboring countries of Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Return of North-east Displaced Persons directed all government agencies involved in the implementation of the work to harmonize items needed and their prices in all procurements to be undertaken on behalf of the Committee.
Osinbajo also directed effective monitoring and evaluation of the implementation at a meeting he presided over yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting, presentations were made by the Borno State Government, the Military, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and the National Emergency Management Agency.
Specifically, the Federal Government has released N6 billion to the Borno State Government, N3 billion to the Defence Headquarters, N2.5 billion to NEMA and N3 billion to the Refugee Commission for the first phase of the work of the Presidential Committee.
After presentations by the different government agencies, questions were raised about price differentials between quotes and local market rates, and also certain duplications of needed items.
Prof. Osinbajo who expressed serious concern about the price differentials and the duplication of needs then directed that the Sub-Committee on harmonization of needs and prices should correct the situation.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Zulum said “the meeting is on the settlement of IDPs that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Based on the recommendations of the Chairman of this Committee, the Vice President, the sum of N15 billion has been released to the Committee.
