The Federal Government through inter ministerial committee comprising of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministries of Works, Health and Education, the Nigerian Red Cross and Borno SEMA has conducted damage and needs assessment in communities liberated from insurgents by the military in Borno State.
The assessment was coordinated by NEMA and led by the Agency’s Director of Search and Rescue of NEMA, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade. The committee also paid a courtesy call on the State Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor. Speaking during the visit, the NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue said as the fight against insurgency in the North-East was progressing with desired results of liberating most of the captured towns and villages, there was the need for damages and needs assessment to facilitate the early return of displaced persons back to their communities.
“We are here to assess the level of destructions created by the insurgents and recommend to the Federal Government, so that the needed funds will be provided” he said.
Receiving the committee on behalf of Borno State’s Governor, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha said 22 local governments were displaced by the insurgents. He said nearly half of Borno residents are living in Maiduguri metropolis.
The committee also met with the General Officer Commanding of 7 Division Nigerian Army based in Maiduguri, Major General Lamidi Edison, who updated members on the security situation in Borno.
The highlight of the assessment after a physical visit to many of the liberated communities, was a meeting between with the committee and Chairmen of all the affected local government areas where detail needs of the communities were obtained.
Sani Datti
Snr . Information Officer
