BY OBUTE JAMES
The House of Representatives have called on relevant government agencies to immediately swing into actions in order to halt the communal crisis between Ichen and Chamb-Dakka Communities in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State:
The House’s resolution on Wednesday 9th February, 2022 was sequel to a motion by Hon. David Abel Fuoh, representive of Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Taraba State.
Presenting the motion on the “Need for Federal Government’s Intervention in the Crisis between Ichen and Chamb-Dakka Communities in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State” Hon. David Abel Fuoh said that according to reports, eight people were allegedly killed and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed with over three thousand people displaced in Bisaula and Gwanda communities following the communal clash between Ichen and Chamb-Dakka people of Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
“Aware that the State Government, in collaboration with the stakeholders of the affected Communities, took some steps to restore peace in the area but despite the efforts, there is still tension in the affected communities.
“Concerned that the communal clashes have resulted in the displacement of millions of the people who are currently taking refuge in Baissa, Didan, Sabon Gida Tukura, as they lack adequate resources to cater for the refugees from neighbouring states as well as those from Cameroun; Also concerned that Taraba State is overwhelmingly overstretched as it is currently camping over 250,000 Internally Displaced victims of attacks and killings by armed bandits and militants from the neighbouring states'” he said
“Worried that if the Federal Government fails to intervene, the crisis in Kurmi Local Government Area may escalate despite efforts of the State Government;
“Also worried that despite the hardships experienced by displaced persons camped at Bisaula Community in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State, humanitarian and security agencies have not done enough to ameliorate their plight” he lamented.
Following the motion, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to put an effective mechanism in place towards preventing the reoccurrence of the communal clash between the two ethnic groups.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as other humanitarian agencies to establish more refugee camps in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Green Chamber also urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, as well as National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other humanitarian agencies to deploy relief materials to the displaced persons and victims of the communal crisis.
The House mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance