Borno government closes four IDP camps and resettles 11,000 households – Zulum

The Borno government says it has closed four camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and resettled 11,000 households in six communities in the state.

Governor Babagana Zulum, who spoke at the official closure of the four IDP camps on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the feat was achieved after peace returned to the state.

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He listed IDP camps to include Dalori 1, Dalori 2, Gubio Road and Muna El-Badawi.

He said households were displaced in 2015 by Boko Haram insurgents in Marte, Baga, Banki, Warabe, Kerenoa, Wulgo and Ngurosoye.

The governor attributed the camp closures to lack of funds, adding that arrangements had reached an advanced stage to close four other camps to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced people to six communities by 2023.

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He said the only way to end the insurgency was for the government to address the root causes of terrorism in the North East region.

"The causes of the insurgency are increased poverty, infrastructure deficit and climate change," he said.

According to him, the return of displaced persons is in line with the Kampala Convention without force, stressing that it was a dignified return.

Also speaking, Nana Tanko, executive director of the Victims Support Fund (VSF), a non-governmental organization, said that about 1.6 billion naira has been earmarked for the resettlement of more than 60,000 displaced people in their central homes.

She said the organization would monitor the safe and successful resettlement of displaced people who have indicated their willingness to return to their homes after security improves.

She said the organization has launched sustainable livelihood support programs to accelerate the sustainable and dignified resettlement of the affected population.

"We have not only helped the IDPs with resources to return to their local government headquarters, but with money to use to start something that will bring them income.

“The 1.6 billion naira is made up of two components and is equal to 50%. The returnee grant is about 800 million naira while the balance will be used to purchase food and non-food items.

"In line with VSF's support of the local economy, all the food we purchased was prepared by Borno-based entrepreneurs," she said.

Ms Tanko said the displaced people were not obliged to return to their local government headquarters, adding that each of the displaced households in Maiduguri had received their parcels, including 100,000 naira.

She said that if the IDPs chose not to return to their villages, they could rent a house and live in Maiduguri, while accommodation and transport were provided for those wishing to resettle.

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According to Ms. Tanko, the organization has committed about N10 billion in various interventions since its inception in Borno.

(NAN)

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