Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has announced the planned closure of Konduga internally displaced persons (IDP) camp within the next four months.
This follows the successful closure of Bama IDP camp, the largest displacement facility outside the state capital and the planned shutdown of Gwoza camp.
Speaking to newsmen during a recent visit to the camp, Zulum, however, stressed that the relocation is entirely voluntary and no one will be forced to resettle where they are not willing to go.
The Governor has consistently maintained that returning to ancestral homes or other areas of choice must be based on the displaced persons’ expressed willingness.
He said, “We are not carrying out the resettlement process immediately; we are here to discuss with the IDPs so that in the next four months they will be resettled in a dignified manner. I believe you heard from the IDPs that they are willing to return home. Return shall be voluntary, not by force”.
During his visit to Konduga, Governor Zulum inspected resettlement houses currently under construction in Amarwa and later proceeded to Maiwa in Mafa LGA. The Amarwa resettlement city, for which the governor had earlier laid the foundation, is being built to shelter displaced persons living in camps.
In Maiwa, the state government is constructing massive housing units as part of the ongoing resettlement programme. The resettlement houses are equipped with public facilities like a primary healthcare centre, a water facility, and other basic amenities.
Zulum was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba; the Member of the House of Assembly for Konduga, Hon. Bukar Modu; the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; and other senior government officials.
