A Technical Working Group has been in place to put finishing touches to the National Policy on Internally Displaced (IDPs)
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the TWG in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha commended the wisdom of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons ( NCFRMI ) for initiating the National Policy on Internally Displaced persons, urging the Group to examine all bottlenecks towards speedy adaption of the Policy by the Federal executive Council.
The SGF who was represented by a Director in the of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Alhaji Maidabino Kabiru Isa noted that the stakeholders meeting had been organised on the document by the National Commission for Refugees in the past saying that the TWG should examine the progress already made so far and come up with a workable document.
He went down memory lane reviewing the circumstances under which the Commission was established, adding that NCFRMI had been up and doing in managing issues of IDPs in the North East and other parts of the Country.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons (NCFRMI) Sadiya Umar Farouq disclosed that efforts at developing a National Policy on IDPs started in 2003 which has been reviewed severally.
According to her, on assumption of duty in 2016, She considered it expedient to work on the Policy document hence Stakeholders meeting were organised while the report was analysed by the Cabinet Office and returned for further work. “we have all gathered here today to discuss and look at those bottlenecks mitigating speedy passage of the Policy” she said.
Hon. Sadiya stressed the need for synergy among all humanitarian workers and to address issue of rivalry so that all the fundamental issues are addressed.
The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Musa Rafsanjani who was represented by the Programme Manager Democratic Governance Mr. Okeke Anya said that everything possible should be done to ensure that the present administration endorsed the National Policy on IPDs in order to ameliorate the suffering of all person of Concern.
According to him, nobody is immune from being an IDP; “We need to deal with the issues when they arise” he said.
Ahmed Lawan Dambazau
Head Press and Public Relations
