SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, (THEWILL) – The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has described the malnutrition suffered by internally displaced persons in Borno State as a national problem which deserves the attention of every Nigerian.
He assured that the issue would very soon be addressed on the floor of the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.
Saraki made this declaration on Monday while in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to pay a condolence visit to the people of the state over the death of Alhaji Shettima Monguno. He however took time out to visit the centre for the treatment of people suffering severe malnutrition.
The Senate President, who was accompanied on the visit by the Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), said the visit to Borno was very important as it offered them the opportunity to see first-hand the extent of the malnutrition crisis.
He stressed that Borno State had been left to carry too much of the burden of the Boko Haram insurgency and it had become pertinent for others to help.
Speaking about the malnutrition crisis in the North-East state, he said, “I am happy I am here with the leader of the Senate, before we break we will definitely discuss it on the floor and see what we can do.
“The federal government and all agencies need to step up to the game.
“I think it is not good for a country like ours, we are a rich country, it is just an issue of organizing ourselves and getting the fund to support the state government. The state has been carrying too much of the load on their own.”
Saraki stressed that the state government should not be left alone to carry the heavy burden but should be assisted by the federal government, private sector and wealthy individuals all over the country.
According to him, “We all need to put in our effort and see how we can address the (malnutrition) situation because it is the women and children that have suffered most from this. We must do our best to play a role and support the state in doing that.
“It is clear that the state government has done very well. The report we heard about some of the children not being able to walk because of malnutrition but we can see all of them now well nourished, I must commend the effort of the state government in doing that.”
Saraki however stated that the visit “has just confirmed that we still have a lot of work ahead.”
