Churches Destroyed By Boko Haram Will Be Re-built – Shettima
BEVERLY HILLS, October 2, (THEWILL) – Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has promised to rebuild churches and other structures destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in Lassa as he visited liberated communities in the southern senatorial zone of the state
“We will rebuild churches, private and public buildings destroyed by the insurgents,” he said when he accessed the level of damage in Lassa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
“We are going to rebuild churches and others structures destroyed in Lassa and other communities around. We are saddened by the large scale destruction in Lassa which is a predominantly Christian community.
“We are doing this because we have a duty as a government to ensure fairness, equity and justice in all our endeavors. We believe that the Christian community has rights to be served like its Muslims counterpart, since we have rebuilt Mosques destroyed in other places, we must rebuild churches too.
“I want to assure that the churches will be rebuilt before December, so that the people can celebrate the Christmas in a more conducive atmosphere. We will also make sure that all private houses destroyed are rebuilt without delay.
“We are not doing this for political reasons because we are not facing any election now. Our actions are based on the desire to serve people and to ensure equity among them.”
Shettima also assured that government would reconstruct structures damaged by the terrorists in the liberated border community of Damasak to enable residents return to their normal lives.
He made the promise while addressing some residents in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.
“It is sad that the lunatics chose to engage in wanton destruction of lives and property in the guise of religion. We will strive hard to ensure that all the structures destroyed are reconstructed within our limited resources,” he said.
“Damasak has lots of historical and economical significance in the state because it is the livewire of Borno North. We have to make sure that residents who are mainly farmers, fishermen and business merchants return to business.”
Story by David Oputah