President Buhari doubts hundreds of millions of dollars spent on IDPs by foreign agencies

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed doubts over claims being made by international agencies that they have spents hundreds of millions of dollars in meeting the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He told the inaugural meeting of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) that he has asked his Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to help in compiling data of IDPs in the North-East as part of efforts to know the situation on ground.

His words: “Another area where we are struggling to measure impact is in our social investment programs. Last week, I directed the new Minister for Humanitarian Affairs to commence a comprehensive data gathering exercise in our IDP camps in the North East. Today, we hear international organisations claiming to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on IDPs in the North East. But when you visit the camps, you rarely see the impact.

“In 2017, when the National Emergency Management Agency took over the feeding of some IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the amount we spent was significantly lower than the claims made by these international organisations. 

“Therefore, actionable data is critical to implement effective strategies to address pressing problems such as these humanitarian issues.

“I therefore look forward to receiving your baseline study as this will help us shape ideas for a sustainable and prosperous future.”