The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) says continued delay in adopting the Draft National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria remains a huge challenge in addressing coordination gaps amongst stakeholders working on displacement.
In talks with justice minister Abubakar Malami, CISLAC executive director Auwal Musa said the draft policy was anticipated to be adopted in 2012 and last through 2017 but "is yet to see the light of day as it remains only a draft and is yet to be adopted."
"The nonexistence of either legislation or national policy targeted at addressing protection and assistance issues of IDPs at a time when the country is arguably faced with its greatest humanitarian challenge since after the Nigerian Civil War is a source of national and global concern," Musa said.
CISLAC wants the justice minister to speed up adoption of the draft national policy on IDPs and ensure it is in line with the African Union Convention for Protection and Assistance of IDPs.
Musa urged the justice minister to serve as arbiter in the justice and redress of rights abuses of IDPs especially as there is no path or platform for redress in sight.
On his part, Malami said the justice ministry was ready to begin work on any draft from CISLAC.
"If you have a policy already, time is now right for us to start together to draft policy," he said.
"The government is worried about the plight of IDPs, and we are working with the National Assembly to have a legal primary framework" that will guarantee protection and assistance of IDPs, he said.
He said any framework needed roadmap of action and legislative backing.
A strategic action plan and legislation will transport to IDPs support, and "We are totally in agreement," he said.
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