By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Communities displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, who are taking refuge at various Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State would soon be relocated to their ancestral homes before the end of 2021.
This is coming on the heels of the completion of resettlement homes projects by the Borno State Government across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The State Commissioner Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and resettlement, Engineer Mustapha Gubio disclosed this when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Borno Council led by Chairman Bulama Talba paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Maiduguri.
Engr. Gubio explained that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum led administration, has launched a resettlement programme for the returnee communities, which would provide basic social amenities such as health centres, water supply points and schools, all in a bid to provide for a dignified return of IDPs.
He added that the state government has closed MOGOLIS and NYSC IDP camps following which the former inhabitants were voluntarily resettled and back to farming in Auno village of Konduga LGA, Damask in Mobbar LGA, Baga in Kukawa as well as Marte and Konduga.
According to him, these were all part of the previously achieved 23,000 shelter homes for the returnees communities out of the 7,000 which were newly constructed in those areas.
The commissioner also solicited for more assistance from international development partners due to the huge resources required for the reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Engr. Gubio, who appreciated journalists for mobilizing the citizenry for participation in government programmes, however, pledged to renovate the NUJ Press Centre, interlocking of the premises and installation of solar power as requested by the union’s leadership.
On his part, The Chairman, NUJ BORNO Council, Comrade Bulama Talba, said the purpose of the visit is to reawaken the existing partnership and reassure readiness of the pen profession to continuously key into government resettlement programmes for the benefit of the people.
Comrade Talba requested the ministry to support the NUJ drive to upgrade the press centre with renovation of chalets, alternative solar power and interlocking of the premises to make it more convenient for working journalists to file their reports.
He appreciated the numerous achievements by the Ministry of RRR under the watch of the commissioner.
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