Zulum inaugurates 3 panels on Borno conflicts, 2 others
By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has set three panels on conflicts, reconstruction and the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama local council of the State.
According to him, the committees comprise farmers/herders conflict, Bama phase II reconstruction and resettlement, and the streetlight installation and maintenance panel.
Inaugurating the committees’ members, on Friday in Maiduguri, Zulum disclosed: “You’re to thoroughly investigate the root causes of conflict between farmers and herders, return the IDPs to Bama border community with Cameroon and install streetlights and maintenances.”
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He said the panel’s investigation on the farmers/herders’ conflict be completed in two months and submit the report to his office for implementation.
Besides, the submission of report, he said: “The other two inaugurated panels will reconstruct houses and resettle the Bama IDPs and streetlight installations and maintenances.
“Recommended measures are to be submitted to the State government to prevent future crises that usually claim many lives and property.”
Zulum, therefore, urged the panel on farmers/herders’ conflict to identify and document the grazing reserves and their current status across the state.
The committee, led by Tijjani Goni Modu, comprises 21 members from the security agencies, the Miyetti Allah Association (MAA), Alhaya Development Association (ADA), and representatives of the traditional rulers.
Speaking on the Phase II Bama reconstruction, Zulum said: “The committee members should identify IDPs willing to return to their liberated communities,” stating that they include Bama Township, Kumshe, Darajamal, and Tarmuwa in Bama local council of the state.
He noted that the Bama Phase II reconstruction is prompted by the relative peace enjoyed in the state, coupled with the resettlement efforts towards ensuring voluntary return of IDPs.
“This will enable the State government restore IDPs’ lost means of livelihoods with safety,” he noted.
According to him, the reconstruction of LGAs in the border areas of Bama, Abadam, and Kukawa, are prioritized for the return of Nigerian refugees from Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The eight-member Bama reconstruction committee is headed by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe.
While the streetlight installation and maintenances committee comprises six members, with the Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, as Chairman.
The committee will ensure the maintenance of streetlights, with priorities on Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Council, while it will consider other major towns in the three senatorial districts.
It will also oversee the conversion of streetlights, which use diesel-powered generators, to alternative solar-powered ones to reduce costs of maintenance.
Speaking on behalf of all three committees, Wakilbe expressed gratitude to the Governor for assigning them with the tasks before them.
He assured the governor of their commitments to fulfilling their assigned tasks of reconstructions of Bama and the return of IDPs to border communities with Cameroon and Chad.
