From Ahmed Kaigama,Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has solicited the support of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in seven Local Government Areas of the state.
Gov. Isa Yuguda, made the plea when an official of NEMA presented relief materials to the state government at Government House in Bauchi yesterday.
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 who were faced with serious security challenges.
`The state as you may be aware is facing the challenges 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 to 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 had 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 for the IDPs.
He explained that to consolidate the programme, the government had recently set up IDPs needs Assessment Committee to determine the gaps that need to be filled by other stakeholders.
“I therefore appeal 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, “he said.
He thanked NEMA for the support, adding that it indicated the agency’s level of responsiveness to emergency situations.
Speaking earlier, the agency’s Director General, Malam Sani Sidi, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Euegene Eze explained that the materials were to support the state’s IDPs resettlement efforts in MagamanGumau for speedy completion.
He described the programme as a model in IDPs management which should be emulated by other state governments facing similar challenges.
