*Disburses N954.7m to returnees
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday, flagged off the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that have been at Muna Garage designated IDPs camp for over a decade back to their ancestral homes in nine local government councils of the state.
The governor also disbursed the sum of N954.7 million to the IDPs for their rehabilitation welfare and livelihood support in.addition to food and non food items distributed to each household in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) .
“The 12,985 IDPs comprised of 4,880 male heads of household, 1,230 female heads of household, 6,875 married women and other family members who were earmarked to be resettled in 9 LGAs, in two phases.
“The first phase of those to be resettled begining today Friday back to their communities in 6 LGAs of Borno State, include, Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Kukawa, Jere and Ngala. The second phase are Dikwa, Marte and Mafa LGAs IDPs.
“Each of the 4,880 male heads of household and another 1,230 female heads of household received N100,000, while about 6,875 married women each received N50,000 cash,” Zulum said
He noted that while cash support was distributed, to 6,875 households, married women also received maize, rice, blankets , plastic materials and mattresses, including mats, oil, and kitchen utensils among others.
Governor Zulum also said that the food items distributed were part of the federal government’s support for the state; saying, “This food item we are giving to the returnees is from NEMA. A few days ago, we lunched the distribution of food items donated to the government of Borno by the federal government at Pulka.
“I want to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to commend the office of the Vice President, I also want to commend NEMA for partnering with us to ensure sustainable resettlement of the IDPs in this very important camp.
“This resettlement is voluntary. All these IDPs have expressed willingness to return to their ancestral home or other areas with relative peace and tranquillity. So, the resettlement is in line with the Kampala convention, which signifies that IDPs are to be resettled in a dignified manner.”
The governor further expressed his concern over the criminal activities in the Muna IDP camp; he said, “I think people of Borno State will bear witness that this is one of the most notorious camps in Borno State.
” There’s a lot of prostitution ongoing in this camp; there’s a lot of procreation without care going on in this camp, And above all, there’s a lot of criminality that is ongoing in this camp. Including theft and rubbery,” Zulum said.
The occasion was witnessed by the Hon member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bukar Talba, Deputy Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira, the Secretary to the State Govt, Bukar Tijanni, Head of Service, Barr Malam.Fannami,
Others include the D.G of NEMA represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Abdullahi Adamu Usur, Hon.Commissioners and other top government officials.
Highpoint of the event include symbolic disbursement of cash support and district food and non food items to the returnee IDPs.
