FG Doles Out N5.7Bn to 2011 Post Election Violence Victims

Federal government has approved the release of a total sum of N5,7 billion  to nine states of the federation for direct disbursement to those who suffered losses of properties, means of livelihood and places of worship in the post election violence of 2011.

It will be recalled that following the post election violence and civil disturbances in some states after the April 2011 elections President Jonathan set up a Panel of Enquiry headed by Sheik Ahmed Lemu to among other things, identify the spread and extent of losses suffered across the country.

Following the submission of the Lemu Panel’s report and its adoption by the Federal Executive Council, the Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing was mandated to assess the reported losses and damage to properties in all affected states.

Based on the Ministry’s report, Reuben Abati, special adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity) said, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the release of funds to nine of the 14 affected states as follows: Bauchi-N1,574,879,000.00, Sokoto-N55,888,506.00, Zamfara-N93,253,485.00, Niger-N433,375,875.00, Jigawa-N208,667,634.00, Katsina-N1,973,209,440.00, Kano-N944,827,000.00, Adamawa-N420,089,840.00, Akwa Ibom-N43,504,000.00

President Jonathan has also directed that an Implementation Committee for the disbursement of the funds to beneficiaries in the nine states be constituted as follows: Executive Governor or Deputy Governor  as Chairman, Representative of State Government as Member, Secretary of the Sheik Lemu Panel-Member, Representative of the OSGF-Member and Representative of the FMLH&UD as Member

Inspection and assessment of damages and losses suffered are yet to be carried out in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa states as modalities and further instructions for the exercise are still being expected from the state governments.

Funds to cover the losses sustained by victims of the post election violence in theses five states will be approved and released at the conclusion of the assessment exercise.