By Rita Iliya
The North South Power Foundation of Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station on Friday donated food items said to be worth N30 million to 13 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Munya and Shiroro local governments in Niger.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IDPS have been living in the camps for over six years due to insecurity in their communities.
Dr Kemi Adekanye, Head of North South Power Foundation, while handling the items to various camps, said the foundation visited the camps recently and noticed that the camps still needed some basic amenities.
Adekanye, represented by Dr Samson Esumeh, Consultant Public Relations to North South Power Company, added that the donation was part of the foundation’s efforts to support the IDPs.
“We have a commitment to the welfare and well-being of these IDPs and we intend to still continue to maintain our relationship with host communities.
“We will still do more and this is a routine for us now, so we want to be sure they are happy and healthy,” he said.
Adekanye added that the gesture aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, which talked about food and elimination of hunger.
She disclosed that the items distributed includes bags of Rice, Corn, Gari, Sugar, Beans, Maggi cubes, cartons of Tomatoes taste, gallons of Red oil, Vegetable oil and salt.
He added that the total number of items distributed was 119 in Shiroro, 119 in Mararaba, 137 in Gwada, and 137 in Kuta.
Alhaji Aminu Najume,Chairman of Munya Local Government, appreciated the NSPF for the gesture, saying the state and Federal Government had done their best to ensure the displaced persons were resettled.
“Security situation has improved in the council, and people can now travel freely to Munya unlike before,” he said.
Also speaking, Sanusi Musa, Secretary to Shiroro Council also appreciated NSPF for its continuous interventions to the IDPs, saying the state government was working to ensure that the people return to their communities.
Hussaini Alhassan, Desk Officer, Gwada IDPs camp, disclosed that there were two IDPs camps in Gwada, with a total of 748 IDPs displaced from 78 communities.
He listed the challenges facing the IDPs to include lack of healthcare facility and lack of food, adding that the camp in the two camps child mortality were recently recorded.
Also, Yusuf Kuta, Coordinator of Kuta IDPs camp, said some IDPs had left to neighbouring communities due to the rainy season, which had made it difficult for bandits to cross over the river to attack.
He listed the challenges facing the IDPs as lack of healthcare facility and lack of food, adding that there were about 300 IDPs in Kuta camp.
Alhaji Musa Sarkin, District Head of Dangunun, appreciated NSPF for always coming to the help of the victims and called on the state government to do more to the IDPs. (NAN)
Edited by Joe Idika
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