Saraki Seeks a Review of Security Situation in the North East

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Friday called for calm as
the United Nation’s announced that it would be suspending aid deliveries
in Nigeria after a United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) humanitarian
convoy was attacked  while travelling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno
State.

Saraki in a statement by his Media Office, condemned the attack in the
strongest possible terms, stating that it was unacceptable to endanger the
lives of aid workers, who were only trying to assuage the situation in the
North East.

“This unfortunate situation has led to the United Nation’s temporarily
suspending its rehabilitation-related aid deliveries to parts of the North
East,” the Senate President said, while adding that “this is a major cause
for concern as overtime, the Nigerian military has recorded significant
successes in routing the insurgency and many foreign donor agencies have
expressed their preparedness to join in the North East restoration
efforts.”

Saraki further called for an immediate review of the security situation in
the North East by the relevant authorities, stating that it was necessary
to alleviate the concerns of international partners who are set to help
rebuild the crisis-torn areas.

“I also urge our military, the Department of State Security and the
Police, to commence an immediate security re-evaluation and review of the
entire North East zone in order to allay the fears of our donor partners.
The partners are important to Nigeria’s work to reposition the North East
after months of decimation at the hands of Boko Haram", he stated.

With the temporary suspension of the United Nations’ activities in the
region, the Senate President called on the Presidential Initiative for the
North East (PINE), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other
relevant agencies to immediately address the shortfall that will arise
from the cessation of donations of food and medicines.

“Effective action must be taken in the interim. We need to make sure that
no lives are lost due to the temporary suspension of UN aid", he added.

Saraki further called on the UN to resume its activities in North East as
soon as possible, while reassuring Nigerians and the international
community that the Senate would fast-track the passage of the North East
Development Commission (NEDC) Bill, which aims to create a legislative
framework and multi-state platform for the coordination of relief and
donations to the zone. Following the submission of the Report of its
Public Hearing by the Senate Committee on Special Duties, the bill
Following the bill is awaiting third and final reading before being
passed.

The Senate President had on July 18 led a delegation to Maiduguri in Borno
State where he pledged that the Senate would look into the issue of
malnutrition and shortage of  medical supplies in the North East. DC Bill
is currently awaiting its third and final reading in the Senate.

Two days later, through a Point of Order raised by Senator Baba Kaka
Garbai (APC - Borno Central), the Senate discussed the issue of
malnutrition in the North East and resolved that the Ministry of Finance
should immediately release necessary funds to the North East while the
Federal Government should begin coordination of  private sector donations
to the region.

During the debate on the motion, Saraki emphasised the need for a
sustainable public-private-partnership driven approach to combat the issue
of malnutrition, stressing that Nigeria did not need to lose more lives to
the lack of food in the North East.