The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has revealed that the Federal Government is actively working to resettle returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in safe and improved living conditions. This commitment was expressed during a courtesy visit from the Representative of United Nations Mines Action Services (UNMAS) that took place on Tuesday, 24th October 2023 in Abuja.
Matawalle highlighted the government’s intention to collaborate with UNMAS in developing a workable solution for the successful reintegration of IDPs and farmers into society, aiming for a better quality of life. “We need to revamp the action plan for IDP returnees and farmers to facilitate their return to their farmlands,” said the Minister.
The Minister also emphasized the crucial need for the Federal Government to provide technical assistance in establishing a national mine action centre in the North East, with plans to extend its reach to the North West where insurgency incidences have escalated. He stressed that such a centre would not only enable IDPs to return to their communities but also grant them access to quality education.
Edwin Faigmane, the Representative of United Nations Mines Action Services to Nigeria, reaffirmed UNMAS’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Army to ensure the success of Mines Action Services Operations in Nigeria. He further emphasized the necessity of conducting Technical Surveys to identify hazardous areas that require clearance before any other activities can commence.
With the Federal Government’s dedication to improving the lives and ensuring the safety of IDPs and returnees, combined with the support of UNMAS, there is renewed hope for the successful resettlement of these individuals and the restoration of their communities.
