Nigeria expresses readiness to tackle displacement of citizens

Nigeria expresses readiness to tackle displacement of citizens

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, says the Nigerian government would find lasting solutions to problems relating to internally displaced citizens.

The SGF said this in Abuja on Monday in his statement on the World Refugee Day.

He noted that the government had been collaborating with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) on refugees’ right of residence and establishment via the operation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement.

Tackling displacement

Anyim, however, stressed that the rising cases of internally displaced persons had been a source of concern to the government, noting that efforts were being made to stem the circumstances leading to such displacements.

He said: “In the past few months, Nigeria has experienced internal displacement situations in Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Lagos, Borno, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

“The Federal Government has made significant interventions in states affected by natural disasters and in tackling the displacement of citizens, while efforts are being made to forestall further occurrences in future.’’

Anyim, called on the citizens and all stakeholders to collaborate with the government in addressing the causes of the problems leading to the displacement of citizens and in providing assistance and protection to the victims.

The Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Hajiya Hadiza Kangiwa, pledged the determination of the refugees’ commission to ensure the proper protection of internally displaced citizens and refugees in Nigeria.

NAN/Williams