The Presidential Committee on North-East initiative, on Thursday said $9bn has been lost to insurgency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States.

This was disclosed by the Vice-Chairman of the committee, Tijani Tumsah while briefing journalists on the outcome of its meeting.

Tijani also said President Muhammadu Buhari will soon reveal a framework aimed at rebuilding the North-East.

He also clarified that the committee was not empowered to investigate diversion of relief materials meant for IDPs.

Tumsah said, “We are not investigating anybody; there are people who are investigating such diversions. I’m glad you mentioned the Senate, the House of Representatives, police and the EFCC. Our mandate, going forward, is to provide a strategic framework for the implementation of all interventions going into the North-East in terms of humanitarian works, resettlement and eventual rebuilding of the North-East.

“In terms of cost, there is an immediate, short-term and long-term view. The entire rebuilding of the North-East, of course, will keep changing. But we do know that a substantial amount of resources estimated at $9bn have been lost to insurgency

“We are going to channel this strategic framework through a document that we have developed, that is going to be launched very soon. It is the plan of President Muhammadu Buhari to rebuild the North-East. That is the strategic implementation going forward.”

Azeez