Bauchi seeks NEMA support to resettle displaced persons

Governor Yuguda, made the call when the official of NEMA presented relief materials to the state government, in Bauchi.Yuguda, who was represented by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Sagir Saleh, explained that the state was currently faced with mass exodus of people from neighbouring states as a result of the security challenges, appealing to NEMA to […]

Governor Yuguda, made the call when the official of NEMA presented relief materials to the state government, in Bauchi.
Yuguda, who was represented by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Sagir Saleh, explained that the state was currently faced with mass exodus of people from neighbouring states as a result of the security challenges, appealing to NEMA to help in the resettlement of the remaining IDPs currently taking refuge in Bauchi, Toro, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Giade, Gamawa and Dambam local government areas.
He said the state is facing the challenges of IDPs from neighbouring states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa where the state of emergency is declared because of the ongoing insurgency.
The governor said  the state government has initiated a settlement programme for the IDPs who are desirous of settling in Bauchi State permanently.
He said that the programme has already commenced in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area, where the government was currently building a permanent settlement for the IDPs.
Yuguda said schools, hospitals, market and other critical infrastructure would also be provided at the settlement centre to make the people feel at home.
He said government recently set up IDPs needs Assessment Committee to determine the gaps that needed to be filled by other stakeholders.
Governor Yuguda asked NEMA to assist in relocating some communities in Zaki and Gamawa local government areas who faced imminent displacement as a result of flooding of River Jama’are, which is an annual event.
He appealed to the federal government to assist the state in distilling River Dindima and Jama’are, saying they constituted  threat to many communities along their banks.
Yuguda thanked NEMA for the support, adding that it indicated the agency’s level of responsiveness to emergency situations.
The Director General of NEMA Malam Sani-Sidi, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Eugene Eze, explained that the materials were to support the state’s IDPs settlement efforts in Magama Gumau.
He described the programme as a model in IDPs management which should be emulated by other state governments facing similar challenges.
He listed the items to include 1,278 bags of cement, 852 bundles of roofing sheet, 2,13 packets of nails, 107 bags roofing nails, 750 pieces of planks and 2,130 pieces of ceiling boards.