The Senate has expressed its total commitment to collaborate with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) to ensure effective coordination of intervention efforts geared towards protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of migrants and IDPs in the country.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, made the remarks when the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons, Ms. Sadiya Umar Farouq, led other management staff of the agency on a visit to the National Assembly in Abuja.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, further stated that the “Senate will look to see how we can help strengthen the Refugee Commission’s capacity to coordinate and monitor the activities of the various MDA’s involved in providing humanitarian relief and administering livelihood programmes.
“It is very important for the National Assembly and the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responding to the humanitarian and migration crises to meet to exchange information about funding needs, service gaps and policy issues,” said Saraki.
“In this context, my office stands open to develop frameworks to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to mitigate future crises and build capacity for more coordinated responses.”
The Senate President stated that the issue of illegal migration needs to be tackled urgently so as to prevent those still outside the shores of the country from engaging in illegal activities that will dent the image of the country and other Nigerians who reside in such countries legally.
He said while it is important to ensure the safe return of all those who illegally migrated abroad, there was a critical need to make adequate preparation on how to integrate them through gainful employment.
Earlier, Farouq, said the visit was organised to thank the Senate President for his ongoing advocacy and leadership efforts to bring stability, rehabilitation and extensive Federal Government service throughout the North-east region.
She further stated that the Commission realizes that the role of the National Assembly is key in supporting the agency to address the humanitarian crisis bedeviling the country.
She called for the support and collaboration of the Senate in empowering IDPs, Refugees, Migrants and asylum seekers through appropriate policies, legislations and budgetary allocations.
