Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged for comprehensive data on internally displaced persons in Nigeria and those in neighboring countries affected by natural disasters.
This appeal was made during a courtesy visit by Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Thursday by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu emphasized that some displacements are a result of natural disasters such as flooding and erosion.
He stated, “We are charging your commission to give us the total report on the plight of Nigerians currently all across the country.”
Kalu further called for the establishment of an intervention fund dedicated to conducting a proper needs analysis, which would inform the national budget.
“So, let the commission have an intervention fund dedicated to doing the proper needs analysis so that as we do the budget, we look into it. This is part of the oversight function. So, get us a report on that,” he added.
Highlighting the broader causes of displacement, Kalu noted, “Your mandate includes refugees and the IDPs. You can’t be internally displaced only through war or crisis. You can be internally displaced through climate-induced displacement and that’s what we are experiencing now.”
He stressed the urgent need for the government to address climate change impacts, stating, “The climate is at war with us. So, the issue of mitigation and adaptation is something that, as a government, we must take seriously but in doing that, agencies like you which manage the consequences of these climate impacts need to be aware that it’s beyond what we are seeing currently.”
Referring to specific incidents, Kalu mentioned, “We heard of what happened in Maiduguri. I mentioned it even before the African Union. Beyond Maiduguri, a lot more is happening around the country.”
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the necessity of increasing the annual budget allocation to the commission to effectively carry out its responsibilities. “How prepared are you? I checked your budget last year and was wondering if a budget of N1.6bn or thereabout will be able to handle that across the country.”
He criticized the commission for not adequately presenting their needs to parliament and the public, saying, “And I have not heard your agency bring it to the fore, both in the parliament and also to Nigerians, maybe through a documentary to show us the volume of the needs analysis, showcasing the plight of Nigerians.”
Addressing the impact of climate change, Kalu stated, “There are so many people suffering due to climate change. The parliament needs to hear from you on the total national needs analysis of internally displaced persons. And the impact of climate-induced displacement. We need to get a document on that.”
He set a two-week deadline for the commission to submit the report, explaining, “We are giving you two weeks to bring the report because we want it to guide us as we make our budget.”
Additionally, he mentioned that a copy of the report would be sent to the Budget Office of the Federation to illustrate the magnitude of the commission’s mandate.
“Also a copy of that will be sent to the Budget Office of the Federation so they will understand the enormous nature of your mandate,” he added.
In response, Tijani Ahmed expressed gratitude to Deputy Speaker Kalu and committed to meeting the deadline. “We thank you for giving us this audience today and I have listened carefully. We will ensure that these individuals who are our own are returned.”
Ahmed assured that the commission would compile reports on both refugees and displaced persons to present to parliament and to highlight the commission’s funding challenges.
“We will put the reports together, both the refugees and displaced persons, to show the parliament and for you to also see the plight of the commission in the area of funding,” he concluded.