Bauchi seeks NEMA's support to resettle displaced persons
The Bauchi State Government, on Wednesday, called for the support of the National Emergency Management Agency to resettle Internally Displaced Persons in seven local government areas of the state.
Gov. Isa Yuguda made the call when the Director-General of NEMA, Malam Sani Sidi, presented relief materials to the state government for the IDPs in Government House, Bauchi State.
Yuguda, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh, said the state was currently faced with mass exodus of people from neighbouring state who were faced with serious security challenges.
'The state as you may be aware is facing the challenge of IDPs from neighbouring states as a result of various communal conflicts and the state of emergency declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
'This has resulted in mass exodus of people from the affected states into Bauchi, as well as others from north central and the north western part of the country displaced by the activities of unknown gunmen.
'As a result, the state government initiated a resettlement programme for the IDPs, who are desirous of settling in Bauchi State permanently.''
He said that the programme had already commenced in Magaman Gumau, Toro Local Government Area, where the government was currently building a permanent settlement area for the IDPs.
'Schools, hospitals, markets and other critical infrastructure will also be provided at the settlement centre to make the people feel at home,' the governor said.
He added that to consolidate the programme, the government had recently set up IDPs needs Assessment Committee to determine the gaps needed to be filled by other stakeholders.
Yuguda said, 'I therefore appealed for NEMA's collaboration to resettle the remaining IDPs currently taking refuge all over the state, especially in Bauchi, Toro, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Giade, Gamawa and Dambam local government areas.
'I also need NEMA's assistance to relocate some communities in Zaki and Gamawa local government areas who are facing imminent displacement as a result of flooding from River Jama-are, which is an annual event.'
The governor further appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state government in distilling River Dindima and Jama're as they constituted a major threat to many communities along their banks.
He thanked NEMA for the support, adding that it indicated the agency's level of responsiveness to emergency situations.
Earlier, the NEMA boss had told the governor that the materials were to support the state's IDPs resettlement efforts in Magaman Gumau.
Sidi, who was represented by the agency's Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Eugene Eze, 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 zinc, 213 packets of nails, 107 bags roofing nails, 750 pieces of planks and 2,130 pieces of ceiling boards. NAN