Victims of the tragic Kaduna bombing on December 3, 2023, are expressing disappointment as Nigerian senators have yet to fulfill their promise of donating their December salaries to support those affected.
The 109 senators pledged to contribute a total of N109 million to aid the victims of the accidental bombing by the Nigerian Army.
During a condolence visit to Kaduna in December, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin assured the victims that the senators would collectively donate their December salaries, each amounting to N1 million.
However, a recent check by The Punch revealed that the senators have not kept their promise.
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu acknowledged the delay but explained it as a procedural matter.
He clarified, “Any noticeable delay in the delivery of the Senate’s pledge to the victims of the unfortunate Kaduna State incident is merely procedural.
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“We pledged December monthly salaries and these would come in January. We are still in January. Whatever commitment the Senate made to the Nigerian people shall be religiously fulfilled,” he added.
A government official, speaking anonymously, disclosed that approximately N140 million had been collected, but disbursement to the victims faced delays as some pledgers had yet to redeem their commitments nearly two months after the tragic incident.
Idris Dahiru, who lost 30 family members in the bombing, expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the affected area. He mentioned that despite promises of donations, some well-meaning Nigerians had not fulfilled their pledges, hindering the rebuilding efforts in Tudun Biri.
Dahiru stated, “We are eager to see development in our area after the unfortunate incident but not yet.
“We are expectant. We are not happy that some well-meaning Nigerians who promised donations publicly refused to redeem their pledges.
“We were informed that some of those who announced their donations publicly, on realising that they were using the funds to rebuild Tudun Biri, declined to redeem their pledges. Those in that category should come out and let the world know that they decline to redeem their pledges.
“The security situation in Tudun Biri is still a concern. We were told that a military formation would be established but that has not happened. There is still a security threat here in Tudun Biri and the earlier the government acted on the promise (military formation) the better for the community.”
Another victim, Aliyu Yakubu, noted the absence of significant development in the village, except for the ongoing construction of a central mosque and the clearance of roads.
Yakubu articulated, “Currently, the construction of the central mosque is ongoing here in our village. But since the clearing of the road a few days before Christmas and when men in military uniforms came to survey where they would establish (a military) formation, nothing is happening in Tudun Biri at the moment.”
While the victims have received relief materials, including foodstuffs, Ibrahim, another survivor, stated that they had not received any funds from the government as promised.
“We were told that many who made pledges could not redeem their pledges,” Ibrahim asserted.
Credit: Reuben Abati Media