By Gbenga Akingbule
The sum of N1.6 billion has been handed over to the Borno State Government by the Victims Support Fund (VSF), to support the voluntary return and resettlement of more than 60,000 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their homes, an official of the organisation confirmed on Thursday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the development comes as the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum flag-off the final phase of closure of all Official IDP Camps and return/resettlement of more than 11,000 households. The Camps include; Dalori I, Dalori II, Gubio Road and Muna El-Badawi.
The IDPs who had lived in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, for over eight years following distruction of their town and villages by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, were handed food and non-food items including cash support through a Micro Finance Bank to start rebuilding thier lives.
Prof Nana Tanko, Executive Director of VSF made the disclosure at the Dalori ll IDP camp where she revealed that her organisation will monitor the safe and successful return/resettlement of all diplaced persons who have indicated willingness to return to their homes due to the improved security.
According to Executive Director, the VSF is committed to the sustainability of the movement of returnees, hence, different forms of livelihood support packages are put in place for all voluntary returnees, noting that the first phase of the resettlement will be to the various Local Government Headquarters.
“We have not only supported the IDPs with resources to move back to their Local Government Headquarters, but with some money that they will use in starting something that will bring an income to them.
“The N1.6 Billion is in two components and almost 50% equal. The grant to the returnees is about N800 Million while the balance was use to purchase food and non- food items. Base on VSF support for local economy, all the food we bought were done by contractors based in Borno State,” Prof Tanko said.
The VSF Executive Director added that an evaluation of the first phase will be carried out and a report submitted to the Chairman of the VSF, Gen. TY Danjuma who may approve the release of similar amount to resettle the returnes.
She explained that the return and resettlement is a multi-stage process, stating that the VSF carried its findings and also met developments partners on ground in the state who also confirmed that the return of IDPs to their Local Government Areas is voluntary.
“No IDP is being forced to move back to their Local Government Headquarters; that’s why all IDPs are receiving their packages including N100,000 to each household in Maiduguri. If they choose not to go back to their villages, they can as well rent a house an live in Maiduguri.
“But for those that are willing to go back , housing is guaranteed for them and vehicles to convey them to their homes are already provided. For us at VSF, it is voluntary enough and its within what is acceptable Internationall,” Prof Tanko said.
As it stands, the VSF has since inception committed at least N10 billion to various intervention projects in Borno State, according to the Executive Director.
While delivering his speech at the occasion, Governor Zulum commended the VSF for its continued support to the state and revealed that “VSF has contributed more than any other National Non- Governmental Organisation(NGO) in Borno State. It is the single largest donor that I know since I became Governor in 2019.”
The Governor particularly commended the Chairman of VSF , Gen T.Y Danjuma (rtd) and requested all wealthy Nigerians to emulate his kind gesture of reaching to the needy.
“If all rich people in Nigeria are following his (Gen. TY Danjuma) footsteps, by now, we may not need any external support,” Governor Zulum said.
The Governor reiterated his commitment to ensuring successful voluntary return and resettlement of all IDPs, noting that negative vices such as prostitution, procreation without care, drug abuse have been on the increase in the camps.
“Life in the IDP camps is no longer suitable, if nothing is done, in the next one or two years, most of those living in displaced people camps may join the ISWAP and Boko Haram group. The earlier the better for all of us and, therefore, there’s no going back on resettling IDPs back to their ancestral homes in a dignified manner,” Prof Zulum said.
One of returnees, Babagana Mohammed Dauda, 32 , who had lived 8 years in Dalori ll IDP camp and has 3 children within the period, commeded the VSF and the State Government for their efforts at returning him and other IDPs back home.
“I’m so happy I’m going back to Bama my home town, I’m aware of the return of peace to Bama town and its environs; I can’t wait to go back to farming,” Dauda said.
The affected Local Government Areas where IDPs are returning to include; Abadam, Bama, Damboa, Kala -Balge, Konduga, Kukawa, Mafa , Marte, Mobbar, Monguno and Ngala.
