NAN – The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) says inadequate funding and the ongoing insurgency are hindering the effective discharge of its mandate.
A reliable source, who pleaded anonymity, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, January 30, 2015 in Abuja.
The official said that in spite of the challenges, the commission was committed providing durable solutions to the issues of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The source recalled that in 2014, the commission embarked on the construction of a camp with the capacity to accommodate more than 8,000 displaced persons.
“We sunk boreholes, provided a clinic and a learning environment n the camp, 28 latrines and other facilities.
“The project was, however, put on hold when the insurgents attacked and captured Mubi, and we had to leave.
“We are working with security agencies and waiting to get a security alert on when to return to complete work and officially open the camp,’’ the official said.
According to the official, the commission also made various interventions in Kebbi, Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States as well as the FCT.
“This is a very critical time of terrorism and communal clashes in the country, with a lot of people being displaced around the country and others fleeing to take refuge in neigbouring countries.’’
He added that a skill assessment was carried out in some IDPs camps in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, to ascertain the livelihoods of the victims before the displacement.
He said that as part of the resettlement efforts, the commission assisted in resettling IDPs from the three states, who traced their ancestral home to Kebbi State.
According to him, the commission resettled over 3,000 IDPs back to Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Aside the states under emergency rule, the commission also resettled people who were displaced due to communal clashes, the source said.
The official added that the commission established three camps at Lafia, Shabu and Obi all in Nasarawa, with the assistance of the state government.
