Accusing the Nigerian government of being the major stimulator of dangerous decisions taken by youths, some Libyan returnees from Edo state have disclosed that more Nigerians would continue to flee to Libya in spite of the sufferings and torture, except if public officials fulfilled even half of their electioneering campaign promises.
Speaking at a ceremony organized by IOM to launch and hand over a Migrant Resource Centre MRC to the FG, the Libyan returnees advised international humanitarian agencies against routing their projects through the Nigerian Government, lamenting that such lofty gestures hardly ever get to the intended beneficiaries.
“What I have to tell the EU-IOM is that they should please, not partner with the government or any other agency in Nigeria. If there is any project you have for the returnees, please do it fast. We heard that some money was set aside to empower us but till now we have not seen anything since we finished our training last year”, said Mr Iluobe Ehis who returned last year.
Vanguard reported that one of the returnee who simply identified himself as Collins said;
“ Talking about reintegration, up till today nothing has been done. They trained us last year but the grants they promised us have not been given.
My candid advice to IOM and EU is that if you want to spend money on returnees, do not partner with the Nigerian government. Some of us that returned have gone back again”.
However reacting to the allegation, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha, said;
“I want to point out the fact that you cannot venture into a country without partnering with the government of the country. I cannot be here and hear you say that they should not partner with the government.
The Office of the SGF makes efforts to ensure that every programme gets to the target population but if it is hijacked at the state level, then that is very unfortunate. There are procedures. International bodies cannot come and operate here without collaborating with the government on ground”.
