The Financial Implications of Managing the N43,000 IDPs in Delta State.
By Nelson Egware

When the floods came late last month, no one expected that it will get to this magnitude it has taken so far. As at today, over 43,000 people have been displaced across the state and are presently being camped at the 18 Rehabilitation Centres across the state.

The financial implication of feeding these IDPs on a daily basis is quite a huge burden on the finances of the state and we can't but pray for the floods to recede very fast so that the IDPs can get back on their feet and fend for themselves.

For analysis sake, If the IDPs were to be fed at an estimated cost of N200 per meal it will cost a total of N8.6m per meal and given that they will be fed up to 3 times daily then it will amount to N8.6m *3 which amounts to N25.8m per day. Given that we have 30 days in a month, then we are expecting to spend N25.8*30 which amounts to N774m.

From the analysis above, if the floods do not recede on time and the state is to provide for them in the next 3months then we will be looking N2.322billion. This amount is just for feeding alone, other logistics not inclusive.

I want to appreciate the Delta State Government led by His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON) and other political office holders, NGOs, Churches, Philantropists and other well meaning Nigerians for their kind donations cum contributions in ensuring that the displaced persons are well rehabilitated. We call for more concerted effort in the management of the camps to ensure that complains of diversion of relief materials are nipped in the bud. The challenge of resettling the IDPs after the floods is the main task ahead and we welcome His Excellency's charge on the Committee and the Scholars from the Delta State University Abraka to fashion out ways of offering better resettlement for the IDPs in the post flood era.

God bless Delta State and may affliction never rise again a second time.