Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday inaugurated two committees to complete ongoing reconstruction works and facilitate the full restoration of civil authority comprising Policemen, Civilian JTF, Local Government officials, and Magistrate courts in six towns located in Marte and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
Inaugurating the committees at the government house,Maiduguri,the Governor charged members to carry out their assignment without haste and not force anyone to return home.
“We should not be in haste. We should not force anyone to return. There is an increasing demand from the IDPs to return home, don’t force anyone” the Governor said.
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He also tasked members to undertake resettlement at Marte in northern Borno as well as Ngoshe, Kirawa, Hambagda, Ashigashiya and Warabe in Gwoza LGA of southern Borno.
The Governor explained that Borno’s resettlement drive is aimed at helping citizens pick up the pieces of their lives and move on, after many years of displacement
He assured that Government will help the returnees to engage in agricultural and other economic activities that will make them self-reliant and be meaningful members of the State.
“The committees are to continue with rehabilitation and reconstruction work in Marte and Kirawa/Ngoshe, to undertake palliative repairs of Marte and Ngoshe/Kirawa roads in collaboration with the men of the Nigerian Army, to put in place all requirements that will ensure safety of lives and properties of returnees, to facilitate the establishment of civil authorities on ground, to identify IDPs willing to return home, and to address any other matter that is incidental to the smooth return and safety of lives and properties of the returnees.” he said
Governor Zulum also decried the high level of poverty in Borno, particularly within the IDPs, which he said the insurgents took advantage of, to recruit a lot of able bodied youths in the State.
Responding on behalf of both committees, Engr. Gubio, the RRR Commissioner, assured they would all put in their best in discharging the assignment.
The committee on Marte is chaired by Borno’s Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engr. Mustapha Gubio, while Gwoza’s is chaired by Commissioner for Housing and Energy, Engr. Yuguda Saleh Vungas. Members include security agents, representatives of communities and humanitarian actors.
