Govt warns against diversion of relief materials for IDPs

The Adamawa Government on Tuesday warned that any person or group caught diverting relief materials meant for Internally Displaced Persons would be punished.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Martins Babale, gave the warning during the distribution of relief materials to communities affected by floods in the state in Yola.

Babale said the government was aware of the activities of some "heartless’’ agents who were in the habit of diverting relief materials meant for the poor to themselves.

He said any person found wanting would be punished.

“Any person or groups found diverting these relief materials will be charged to court and prosecuted,” Babale warned.

He said government would no longer tolerate the activities of elements that were in the habit of sabotaging government efforts.

Meanwhile, Malam Haruna Furo, Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, said seven local government areas were seriously affected by floods between August and September.

“Seven local councils were seriously affected, while six persons were killed by the flood in the state,’’ he said. .

Furo added that “property, including houses, farmlands and domestic animals worth hundreds of millions of naira were swept by the floods.”

He said the areas mostly affected included Mubi North, Mubi South, Demsa, Numan, Guyuk and Shelleng.

He thanked the National Emergency Management Agency for donating the relief materials and promised that the items would reach those it was meant for.

The items included bags of rice, millet, beans and maize, bundles of roofing sheets, mattresses, among others.