Gov. Zulum at the official opening of the ceremony
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, says an appreciable number of people are doing fine in resettled communities recovered from the Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum stated this on Monday during the inauguration of a 24-Member Committee for the Relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Malumfatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area of the state.
Malamfatori is a border community with the Niger Republic.
Zulum said that appreciable number of displaced persons had been resettled in their ancestral homes in view of the relative peace being enjoyed across the state occasioned by the successes recorded by the military in the fight against insurgency.
“Information available to me showed that they (returnees) are doing well in the day-to-day activities in their respective communities.
“Most of them are currently engaged in meaningful activities,” Zulum said.
The governor said his administration was concerned about the plight of the displaced persons still in camps, adding that they deserve decent and dignified life that is only possible outside the camps.
He assured members of the committee for the resettlement of Malumfatori and other communities in Abadam of necessary support, to enable them to deliver on the assigned task.
Zulum said the terms of reference for the committee included; the rehabilitation and reconstruction of affected structures, identifying IDPs willing to go back, ensuring security and safety of lives of the returnees while on transit, and to facilitate the establishment of civil authorities.
Also speaking, the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Musa Christopher, reiterated the commitment of the military to the safe resettlement of all IDPs willing to go back home.
“This development showed that peace has returned to Borno. We will give you all the support required as partners in progress.
“We assure you that whatever it takes for total peace to be restored to Borno, we are ready and good to go,” Christopher said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Bukar Talba, thanked the governor for finding them worthy for the assignment, and pledged to work in accordance with the terms of reference of the committee.
“We will explore all means and ways that will ensure the success of the committee.
“We will not allow our people to suffer, we will honourably take them back to their ancestral home with respect and dignity,” he said.
Members of the committee include the state Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Mustafa Gubio, representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), military and other security agencies. (NAN)
