The Nigerian government has released the sum of N15 billion for the Fourth Phase of repatriation, return and resettlement of citizens who were refugees in neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
The Vice Chairman of the Technical Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North East, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, stated this on Friday after a meeting of the committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Zulum said the meeting, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, discussed the modalities for the implementation of the exercise.
“We are here to discuss the modalities for implementation; who does what. So far so good. A lot has been discussed.
“Many items will be procured so that the repatriation exercise will take immediate effect.”
Governor Zulum said the modalities discussed at the meeting also included “what should be given to the individuals in terms of food and non-food items; what type of house shall we build; what is the transportation medium; what is the minimum threshold required to return people from the neighbouring countries to Nigeria.
“These are some of the issues that were discussed according to international best practices.”
Over 300,000 Repatriated
According to Governor Zulum, more than 300,000 have so far been repatriated, returned and resettled in Nigeria since the exercise commenced.
“This is the 4th Phase of the repatriation exercise we shall embark upon very soon. Guidelines were provided for respective agencies that are to handle this matter,” Zulum added.
It would be recalled that many Nigerian citizens have over the years been forced to neighbouring countries due to insurgents’ onslaught around communities bordering northeastern parts of the country.
PIAK
