IDPs in Abuja raise the alarm over abandoned projects by NGOs

• Say they are being used as business venture
The Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised concern that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are using them as business venture.

They said the NGOs always come to them under the pretence that they are going to ameliorate their problems but end up playing with their emotions as most of the projects are usually abandoned.

Co-ordinator of the Gwoza-Bama IDP Camp, Area 1, Durumi, Abuja, Ibrahim Halilu, who disclosed this to journalists during handwashing demonstration at the camp, said government had abandoned and left them at the mercies of NGOs who collect money from donor-agencies and provide half-hazards projects in the camp.

He said: “They came and started building toilet for us since November 2017, but up till now, it is yet to be completed. They have turned us to a money-spinning venture.”

Halilu, who said that several projects had been kick-started in the camp but abandoned leaving them with no other option than going to the bush to defecate, which is dangerous for them, lamented that the challenges facing the IDPs are enormous, ranging from lack of water, food, clothing, accommodation, poor sanitation and health challenges.

He said those who could not afford to buy water end up going to the stream to fetch water that is unsafe.

Meanwhile, a member of the National Task Group on Water and Sanitation, Mrs. Chizoba Opara, stressed the need for regular hand washing, as it is an avenue for breaking transmission of diseases.

She said: “IDPs were being targeted to pass the message such that people would be more aware of the danger of not washing hands regularly.