Members of the
House of Reps expressed shock, on Tuesday, that the Presidential Committee on
North-East Initiative budgeted N60m to cut grasses this year in
communities
ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgents.
This is coming
when controversies surrounding a similar contract worth over N200m, awarded by
the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has yet to
be settled.
The N60m in
the 2017 budget of PCNI is to cover contracts to cut “shrubs, grasses and
trees” along the Maiduguri-Mama Road alone.
Lawmakers
picked out the figure when the PCNI appeared before the House Committee on
Internally Displaced Persons to defend its N45bn on humanitarian assistance,
rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced villagers.
Chairman of
the committee, Sani Zoro, and other members expressed shock over the
allocation.
“You can’t
travel this same way (awarding contracts on grasses) again; it is not
acceptable. Why can’t you assign this duty to the military to do it for you?
They can use their personnel to clear the grasses and you can drop this idea of
awarding contracts with N60m,” Zoro said.
Members were
also worried that most provisions in the N45bn budget were for “security” and
procurement of equipment for military services as against providing shelter,
food, hospitals and schools for displaced persons.
“Your duty,
from what we understand, is to provide succour for the displaced persons. These
people are traumatised and they need urgent basic amenities as they return
home.
“Rehabilitation
has to do with their survival as human beings first,” he added.
Members said
several provisions appeared questionable.
Zoro said,
“Maybe, you must first give us the mandate of the PCNI. You have N184m for
screening programme for humanitarian activities. What does that mean?
“There is
N150m on advocacy and early warning system and N165m for conflict management.
“You are going
to deliver security equipment for N200m. What type of security equipment? Then
another N2.5bn for security outfits.
“Are you
telling us that part of your role is to fund the operations of the military in
the North-East? The military have their own budget already.
“Why are you
not talking about food, shelter, medical care and schools for these IDPs?”
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