DAMATURU – The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdul Bulama, on Saturday flagged-off the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in the North-East. Addressing newsmen in Damaturu,Yobe State, Bulama said the measure was part of efforts by the Federal Government to alleviate the suffering and improve the living condition of the IDPs in the region. He said that the government would collaborate with relevant agencies in the state to ensure that all the victims of insurgency benefitted from the intervention programme. The minister said that President Goodluck Jonathan was worried about the security situation in the region which had rendered many people homeless. Bulama reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to restoration of peace and tranquility in the North-East with a view to enhancing public confidence in the government. Earlier, Alhaji Ilu Bello, Chairman, North-East Relief Material Distribution Committee, said the committee had identified over 116,000 Internally Displaced Persons in the state. Bello expressed determination of the committee to provide decent accommodation and relief materials to all victims of insurgency in the area. The chairman said that the committee had come up with modalities on how to distribute the materials to the beneficiaries to ensure justice and fair play. “We are going to start with the people of Gujba Local government Area of Yobe State who are currently living in Damaturu’’. The Emir of Gujba, Alhaji Mai Aligangarang, thanked the Federal Government for the intervention, which he said, would go a long way in reducing the sufferings of the people. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items distributed to the people include bag of rice, blanket and mosquito nets, among others. (NAN)