The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to providing necessary technical support for the establishment of a national Mine Action Centre in the northeastern part of the country.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, gave the assurance during a meeting with the delegation from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), led by Director Ileen Cohn, in Abuja.
Dr. Matawalle underscored the pivotal role of education in empowering internally displaced persons (IDPs) to rebuild their lives and seamlessly reintegrate into their communities.
According to Ministry Spokesman Henshaw Ogubike, the minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to partnering with UNMAS to streamline the reintegration process for both IDPs and farmers, aiming to enhance their livelihoods.
“We are focused on developing action plans that will facilitate the return of IDPs and farmers to their lands,” Matawalle said.
Also Read: Matawalle leads efforts for actualization of UNMAS in North East
Earlier, United Nations Mine Action Service Director Ileen Cohn commended the Minister’s efforts in bringing the Government of Borno State to support and facilitate this initiative by providing both residential and office accommodation.
Cohn highlighted the ongoing progress in establishing the Mine Action Centre in Maiduguri, affirming UNMAS’s commitment to supporting rehabilitation efforts for displaced IDPs and farmers in the region.
