By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
–Yola
The federal government and the committee involved in handling the over N50 billion Terror Victims’ Fund have been urged to expedite action in utilising the fund for the purpose it was established.
Sardauna of Michika in Adamawa state, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Abdullahi said the call became necessary in view of the deteriorating condition of the victims, “particularly in Adamawa where many of them are now taking refuge in schools across Michika, Madagali, Hong and Mubi North local government areas.”
He said: “These people are Nigerians and they need urgent help. They have been devastated by the insurgency and apparently there seemed to be no way out.
“When you to various primary schools in Madagali, Uba, Mubi and Michika you will see the victims of the insurgency languishing in object poverty. No water is provided, no food supply or good sanitation.”
He also advised that the committee handling the fund needed to work directly with the victims or representatives from the affected areas to ensure that help “gets to the real victims.”
Abubakar noted that in Adamawa, for instance, the areas worst affected by the insurgency were in the Northern part of the state.
The Sardauna also urged banks in the area to resuscitate their closed premises in the area in view of the relative peace “now being experienced in the area.”
He explained that the few banks now operating in the area known for commercial activities were few leading to overcrowding.
“The few banks operating now close their doors by noon because the crowd within banking hall at that time is enough to keep them busy up to 4 or 5 pm.”
