SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Governor State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has on Monday constituted a 22-man committee comprising top government functionaries including Representatives of NA, NN, NPF, NSCDC, SSS, CJTF, Humanitarian and Development partners, vigilante hunters, community leaders and traditional leaders among others with a mandate to ensure Sustainable return of all the IDPs from Baga town to their ancestral homes on September 26, 2020.
This has followed the displacement of residents of the famous Baga fish town about two years ago by the Boko Haram insurgents and subsequent occupation of the town before it was liberated by the Nigerians military about a year ago.
Inaugurating the committee at the Government House Council Chambers Maiduguri, Governor Zulum said, “sequel to the reply Borno state government received in respond to our official letter to the Chief of Army Staff COAS, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai informing him of our intention to return the Baga IDPs back to their ancestral homes to continue with their normal life and livelihoods on 26th August 2020.”
“The COAS replied that it is possible for the IDPs to return on 26th September 2020 instead of 26th August 2020 which the state government fixed. Sequel to the respond of the COAS of the Nigerian Army, Borno state government swung into action immediately for the return of the IDPs.
“And in order to ensure smooth and quick return of the people of Baga, the Committee has to work assiduously round the clock to ensure successful return of the people.
“The committee in any capacity has to achieve this, to actualize the return of the IDPs on that date by making it a reality. You have about a month or less than 30 days to ensure the sustainability of the town and mechanism on ground for the livelihoods of the returnees”, Zulum said.
Continuing, he said, “following my visit to Baga town on Wednesday, 29th July 2020 to assess the security situation on ground and structures available with a view to return Baga people back to their ancestral homes to live a better life by engaging in their socio economic activities of fishing, farming and trading.”
“Borno state government constituted a committee of top Government functionaries including Representatives of Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria, Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, SSS, CJTF, NEMA, SEMA, Vigilante hunters, Humanitarian and Development partners, community leaders and traditional leaders to commence immediately the rehabilitation of all public and private buildings, repairs to basic facilities and amenities , residential houses, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, motor parks or garages, boreholes or water supply sources, offices, etc.
“The committee is also to put in place all what is required or needed for use of the IDPs, to ensure smooth and immediate return of the IDPs, to identify who are living in Baga town, to coopt anybody into the committee that will enhance and facilitate your assignment and suggest measures or recommendations for further necessary actions”, Zulum said.
The governor however thanked all the security agencies and Vigilante CJTF and hunters, humanitarian and Development partners for their support and efforts.
The 22-man Committee is headed by the Borno State Commissioner of Justice and State Attorney General, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Abba Yusuf as Secretary of the committee.
Other members include BOSHA Member representing Kukawa LGC Constituency, Hon. Haruna Kukawa, State Commissioners of RRR, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, LG & EA, Sugun Mai Meleh, Water Resources, Alkali Goni’, Representatives of NA NN, NPF, SSS, NSCDC, District Head of Baga, Secretary, Kukawa LGC, NEMA, Humanitarian and Development partners, SEMA, CJTF and Vigilante hunters among others.
Responding, the Chairman of the high powered committee on return of Baga IDPs, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan said on behalf of the members that they will not let the governor down and thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in the committee.
He also assured the governor that the committee will ensure the return of the IDPs on 26th September 2020 while pledging to give the governor periodic feedback on the activities of the committee.
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