National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), has decried the continued inactivity of the Federal ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation due to the absence of a minister to overseeing functions of the ministry.
Executive Director of the group, Blessing Akinlosotu, said the presence of a minister, even if in acting capacity, will ensure efficiency in government’s handling of intervention to cushion harsh economic challenges and reduce biting hunger
He made this known at a state of the nation emergency meeting of the body, weekend in Abuja.
He said in a statement that one of the key issue in the front burner as per the economic realities of Nigerians is growing hunger of which the humanitarian ministry is well position to address but cannot do that due to the lack of a minister since the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, the minister, on fraud allegations.
“‘The inactiveness in the Ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation is due to the unfortunate absence of a minister.
”The Ministry once witnessed an unflinching commitment of a minister in the standing of Beta Edu, her patriotic zeal, and the willingness to deliver on the mandate of the ministry.
”While we await a quick resolution, we expect that justice would have been done and lessons learnt and a rejuvenated ministry will commence delivery on its statutory mandate.
The group notes with dismay that the recent rice stampede at the Nigerian Custom Service, (NCS), office in Lagos State could have been avoided if there was a humanitarian minister the will coordinate such intervention with expertise.
”The Nigeria Custom Service would have been relieved of the burden of the distribution of intervention items and saved itself from any attendant complications.
”The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation should have been active enough to play its mandatory role,” the group said.
