28th March, 2023
By Hamza Suleiman
Nigerian Government has said it will build three integrated villages at the cost of N15 billion to resettle 20,000 of her citizens who are currently refugees in neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
This was disclosed by Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of refugees and management of repentant Boko Haram members at its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno who is the vice chairman of the committee who revealed this said at least 20,000 Nigerians are refugees in neighboring countries.
He said that President Buhari had approved the release of the N15 billion to the committee with the Borno Government handling the construction of the villages.
The aim, the governor said, was towards the resettlement of the returnees from the neighboring countries.
Zulum explained that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will handle the provision of food and non-food relief materials.
According to him, the National Refugees Commission will coordinate the repatriation process of the refugees living in Chad, Cameroon and Niger while the Defence headquarters will provide adequate security for the exercise.
The governor also said that the construction of the villages and the repatriation process would be conducted in phases and only those willing to return would be considered.
The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, representatives of all the relevant agencies, security operatives and humanitarian organisations among others.
(NAN)
