By Yakubu Uba
President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the recovery and stabilisation of North East.
Buhari made the reiterated this on Saturday in Ngarannam village of Mafa LGA of Borno.
He was inaugurating 500 houses constructed for displaced persons by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under Regional Stabilisation Facility and another 304 units constructed by Borno Government.
Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, lauded the international community for its sustained support in addressing the humanitarian crisis in north east.
“I bring greetings from Buhari who asked me to commend Gov. Babagana Zulum for his leadership, commitment and dedication not only for the return of displaced persons to thier homes in safety and dignity, but to the welfare of the entire people of the state.
“Buhari also asked me to reaffirm his commitment and that of FG to recovery and stabilisation of Borno State and that of north east geopolitical zone whose people have suffered for long and too deeply as victims of violent extremism and terrorism.
“Buhari also asked me to express appreciation to the international community, especially the UN Country team and the governments of Germany and Netherlands for their commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of Borno and also to the stabilisation the region in the greater interest of the country.”
Gambari said the event symbolised, in concrete and practical terms, the shift from dependence on relief and humanitarian assistance, to recovery and restoration of normal life with means of livelihood.
He said Buhari had promised that by the end of his administration in May next year, peace would be restored in north east and the security challenges in other areas would be resolved or reduced to the barest minimum.
Gov. Babagana Zulum said the accommodation would go a long way to boost the state’s stabilisation and development efforts.
“It is an example of how we want to ultimately see people from each of our 27 LGAs settle back in thier communities,” Zulum said.
He noted that each of the resettled households would be given cash, food and non food items and livestock to start up businesses.
Those who graced the occasion and presented goodwill messages included Resident Representative of UNDP, Mohammed Yahya and German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Guether.
Head of EU Delegation, Mrs Cecile Tassin Pelzer and Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Amb. Mamman Nuhu, also graced the event.
