Borno Commissioner Orders Staff To Relocate To IDP Camps
The Borno State Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs , Hon. Usman Zannah has urged staff of his ministry to redouble their efforts by always revisiting all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and monitor the situation of the victims who were chased out of their local Government areas by boko haram sect.
The commissioner made this call during the handing over ceremony by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Emert Mohammed Kois in a colourful ceremony held at the Musa Usman Secretariat complex in Maiduguri.
Zannah said, the lingering crisis of insurgency which has forced over 1 million people from the 22 affected council areas is very worrisome, adding that, the ministry which is directly affected need to identify with the displaced persons by giving them sense of belonging and make them feel at home pending when they would go back and resettle in their liberated communities.
" We just visited some IDP camps this morning with Governor Kashim Shettima, and some of the things needed by the victims can be addressed at the ministry's level if our staff are always there to monitor the plight of the IDPs". He said.
The commissioner while thanking governor Kashim Shettima for appointing him as Commissioner solicited support and cooperation of all staff, work as a team and to rebuilt Borno, even as he promised that his door will remain open for constructive criticisms that will move the state forward.
" I assure you that I will do my best devoid of any tribal, ethnic, religious or political considerations. The lingering crisis of insurgency has led to destruction of many government and public structures such as schools, hospitals, clinics, offices, markets and business centres, it will require billions of naira to rebuild and resettle the destroyed local Government areas, therefore the task is enormous on all of us as a government to put hands on deck and confront these challenges.
" I was elected as Chairman of Magumeri Local Government area, I was also appointed as Caretaker Chairman for the same local Government for three times, and so, my coming here as Commissioner is like a homecoming. I am not new to the system, but most importantly , I will not tolerate indiscipline, laziness and above all corruption". He stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the permanent Secretary, Mohammed Kois, said, the ministry has 68 staff with seven departments as well as six zonal offices in Biu, Monguno, Bama among others.
He noted that the ministry has recorded tremendous success in the provision of potable drinking water, irrigation schemes, procurement of many agricultural equipment, electricity supply, construction of thousands of housing estates including befitting lodges/accommodation to emirs and traditional rulers in the state.
He then assured the commissioner that with the cordial relationship that exists amongst the staff of the ministry they will all give him the necessary support in order to move the state forward.