The Federal Government has distributed assorted relief assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Chibok and Askira/Uba of Borno State that are presently in the Federal Capital Territory (ICT), Abuja.

The relief distribution was flagged off over the weekend in Kuje, a satellite town in the FCT, by Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accompanied by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Muhammad Sani Sidi.

Speaking at the occasion, Okonjo-Iweala affirmed the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to support the displaced persons while expediting efforts towards the restoration of security in their communities to enable them return home soonest.

The minister said government was also concerned about the education of children affected by the security challenge in the North-East and has concluded arrangements to move some of them to various Unity Schools in the country under its Safe School Initiative.

She assured the IDPs from Chibok of continual humanitarian supports of the Federal Government through NEMA, noting that other displaced persons, including those living in the FCT, are already benefitting from similar gesture.

Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Spokesperson of Chibok community in the FCT, Mr. Gapani Yagana, appreciated the Federal Government for the continued supports given to them.

The distribution of relief to the displaced persons from Mousa community of Askira/Uba Local Government was done in Orozo, a suburb of Abuja, where they had assembled for NEMA to deliver the materials to them. NEMA Director General Sani Sidi, who was represented by the Abuja Operations Coordinator of the Agency Ishaya Isa Chonoko, advised them to remain law abiding. He assured them of the Federal Government’s concern for their plight.

The items distributed to the IDPs included bags of rice, grains, sleeping materials, clothing and sanitary items.

Speaking on the IDPs in the FCT, Chonko said though they were not living in any formal camp but with friends and relations, NEMA has been distributing material supports to them upon their discoveries and requests for assistance.

News Express reports that many of the IDPs affected by the insurgency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states are presently living in various camps in Yola and Maiduguri, where the Federal Government through NEMA has been responding to their plight through the continuous deployment of relief supports.

•Photo shows Okonjo-Iweala.

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