Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has donated 284.5 metric tons of rice to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and those living within the host communities in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere local Government Councils of Borno state.
Presenting the relief materials to Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri Friday, Assistant Comptroller General of NCS (HQ), Sanusi Umar said that despite the readiness of IDPs to return
to their liberated communities, peace cannot be sustained if there is hunger in the camps and host communities of Maiduguri.
The distribution of 11, 517 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice to 1.5 million IDPs, was an intervention measure to reduce the hardship being faced by displaced persons, as they return to their liberated communities.
He said that the distribution of the rice should be “fair and equitable,” so that each bag of rice reaches the door steps of all IDPs including those taking refuge in host communities and satellite camps.
The Customs boss said that another bumper relief materials intervention should also be expected from the NCS in December this year for IDPs in Borno and Yobe states.
Governor Shettima, while receiving the materials, assured that the distribution of the rice will be transparent and accountable to prevent any diversion and misappropriation.
On the population of the IDPs, the governor said: “Let me put the records straight on the number of our people displaced by Boko Haram insurgency; and currently living in various parts of the state. The total number of IDPs living in camps in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere is 158, 000 while the ones taking refuge in host communities in Maiduguri metropolis, are estimated at over a million IDPs.
“The displaced persons taking refuge in satellite camps at Bama, Monguno, Baga, Gwoza, Biu, Dikwa, Konduga and Damboa, are estimated at about 258, 000,” Shettima added.
