Borno Government To Establish Civil Authorities In Reclaimed Territories 

The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has, on Friday , chaired an expanded security council meeting with particular references to  security situation and the insurgency that has bedeviled the state for the past thirteen years, saying the establishment of civil authorities is one of the highest priorities of government.

The issue was reiterated while explaining that, if civil authorities are not established in reclaimed territories, those areas will be taken over by the insurgents.

Following the unfolding security situation in

In a press briefing by the Borno State, Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Hon Babakura Abba Jato,who represented the governor, told newsmen after the meeting that the expanded Security Council meeting was as a result of

the expanded security council meeting has in attendance the State Executive Council, entire traditional rulers under the leadership of the Shehu of Borno and all Service Chiefs in the state.

“As a result, all efforts will be geared towards bringing people back to their ancestral homes.

“By November, people from Abadam residing in Niger Republic will be brought back to Nigeria and settled in their Local Government Area.”

The Governor registered his most utmost appreciation over the effort of the Nigerian military forces, paramilitaries, civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes for bringing down the level of insurgency in the state to the barest minimum level.

He called on them to increase their efforts so that the whole state will be free to lead their normal lives without any hindrance.

Zulum most particularly expressed his gratitude for the clearing exercise in the shores of the Lake Chad and the Sambisa general area, noting that although the factional leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was killed, a new group is taking over Shekau’s position.

.

On the demolition of Church incident ,he said that the governor has already issued out a statement and immediately set up committee of inquiry and investigation work is ongoing.

“When the outcome of the investigation is out, the general public will be adequately informed, and justice will take its course at the end of the enquiry.”

However, the governor made it clear that his administration will not condone any form of indiscipline or breach of law by any individual.

Meanwhile the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, under the directives of the governor  visited the victims and sympathized with them.

The state government said it will also embark on the clearance of Maiduguri-Damboa road in preparation for opening and easy movement of people and goods.

The governor enjoined members of the public to be very vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity to the security agencies.

Similarly, Zulum has on Friday commissioned 300 low-cost houses for returning internally displaced persons, and two blocks of shopping complex built by the Borno State Government in collaboration with Family Homes, a private mass housing developer.The houses, which are units of two-bedroom semi detached low-cost houses are sited at Ngamdu, a town in Kaga Local Government Area of northern Borno.

The Governor presented allocation letters of houses to some of the beneficiaries.Among the beneficiaries includes 9 widow’s whose husband’s were murdered by the insurgents.

Zulum also commissioned a 1.8 kilometre township road, a shopping complex with 30 shops, and a renovated and furnished Government Lodge, sited at Benisheik, headquarter of Kaga LGA.

The Governor also commissioned one storey block of 30 shops complex to boost the economy of the area.

Governor Zulum in his address, recalled that in 2019, the Borno State Government signed an agreement with Family Homes, for the provision of 3,200 low cost houses in Borno State, with a substantial number of the houses now delivered.

He said Family Homes had promised to soon commence the construction of 1000 houses for civil servants which will be offered to low income workers to enable them acquire homes.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Borno State, we want to express our deepest appreciation to Family Homes” Zulum said, promising houses will only be allocated to the most vulnerable.

Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, under whose Ministry the projects were executed, Mustapha Gubio, earlier said in his welcome address that the largest beneficiaries of the houses are victims of displacement by Boko Haram.

The Commissioner commended the team which monitored the housing project, led by Zulum’s Adviser on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe.

The Managing Director of Family Homes, Mr. Femi Adewale in his goodwill message, commended Governor Zulum’s sound leadership, which led to actualization of the partnership.

He promised that within the next three months, processes will be completed towards commencement of 1000 additional houses which Zulum had explained, are to be allocated to low cadre civil servants.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum while in Kaga, commissioned a basic school and a computer center built and furnished by Hon. Usman Zannah, member of House of Representatives representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal constituency. The constituency intervention projects were sited in Beneshiekh, headquarters of Kaga LG.

Zulum commended the rep member for serving his constituents.