North-East will develop when funds are judiciously spent – Saraki

Forum 7 years ago

North-East will develop when funds are judiciously spent – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Friday, stated that accountability and oversight must be the necessary components of Nigeria’s efforts to rehabilitate the insurgency-ravaged North-East zone of the country.
Saraki in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said this in response to the conclusion of a four-day visit by the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Dr. Chaloka Beyani.

“We are hopeful about the increasing international attention being shown toward the North-East. On our part, we need to make sure that our accountability mechanisms generate confidence in our ability to absorb and monitor the delivery of aid material and resources,” Saraki stated.


The Senate President added that Nigeria was heading in the right direction in tackling the North-East’s humanitarian crisis. He however noted that there were still many issues in the areas of accountability, such as sexual abuse, lack of protection and the provision of basic services that need to be addressed.

Saraki said, “Gradually but surely, we are heading in the right direction. However, let us not take our foot off the gas pedal. We must make accountability an expectation in Nigeria’s humanitarian relief infrastructure. Accountability must be built into all aspects of the relief to rehabilitation effort to promote greater confidence in our capacity.”

He also emphasised that there was the need to focus less on reports on corruption in the relief effort and more on transparent systems to root out corruption and profiteering.

Saraki further stated that when the 8th Senate resumed sitting later in the month, the humanitarian crisis in the North-East would be given priority.


“As Senate President, I am sure that I speak for many of my colleagues when I say that we are more than willing to work with any and all Nigerians and international stakeholders to restore development, dignity and hope to the people of the North-East,” he stated.