IDPs Resettlement: Borno State, UNDP commission 564 houses in Mafa LGA

The Borno State government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have commissioned 564 houses at Ngarannam, in Mafa Local Government Area (LGA)of the state, to repatriate and resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The Ngarannam settlement was attacked and destroyed by Boko Haram, displacing the entire community.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by his chief of staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, while unveiling the houses conveyed the president’s gratitude to all humanitarian and development partners.

He said “Buhari’s administration would continue to provide the needed support to the government of Borno, and rest of the northeast to fully stabilize”.

“Security has returned to Borno state, we came we saw and we are impressed by the demonstration of 3 elements, security, livelihood and the safe return of the IDPs. Mr. President has promised to make security a priority and to assure you of his total commitment”. 

The Borno state government has completed 204 units of the houses with 100 ongoing.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which also embarked on the construction 500 units of houses funded through a Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) has completed 360 units with 140 ongoing.

Governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum announced the distribution of food and none food items as livelihood support for families that were being resettled.

He explained that 437 male heads of households were to each have a pair of bull and Heifer, while 64 female heads of households were to each receive a pair of she-goat and a he-goat. Additionally, 503 housewives were each to get a pair of she-goats and one he-goat.

Zulum also said each of all the resettled households were to get two 50 kg bags of rice and maize, a gallon of vegetable oil, a mattress, plastic mat, blanket and clothing materials.

The governor also announced the distribution of cash to the resettling families, including the female heads of households, to get N100,000 cash through a micro-finance bank for economic activities.

The event had in attendance the Minister of State for Budget and National Development, Prince Clem Agba, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Idi Barde Gubana, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Amb. Mamman Nuhu, UNDP’s resident representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahya, and representatives of ECOWAS, the European Union, and embassies of Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, among other development partners.

Others were the Commissioner of Police Borno State, Abdu Umar, who represented the Inspector General of Police, and Major General Christopher Musa, the Theatre Commander (TC) of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).