KONDUGA — Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced plans to close the Konduga Internally Displaced Persons camp, following the successful closure of Bama camp and the planned shutdown of the Gwoza camp.
Speaking to journalists in Konduga on Monday, Zulum said the relocation will be entirely voluntary and no displaced person will be forced to return to any area against their will.
He stressed that his administration has consistently maintained that return to ancestral homes or areas of choice must be based on the willingness of the displaced persons.
“We are not carrying out the resettlement process immediately; we are here to discuss with the IDPs so that in the next four months they will be resettled in a dignified manner. I believe you heard from the IDPs that they are willing to return home. Return shall be voluntary, not by force,” Zulum said.
As part of the process, the governor inspected ongoing resettlement houses in Amarwa, Konduga LGA, and later in Maiwa, Mafa LGA.
The Amarwa resettlement city, for which Zulum earlier laid the foundation, is being constructed to shelter displaced persons currently living in camps.
In Maiwa, the state government is building massive housing units equipped with public facilities including a primary healthcare centre, water facility, and other basic amenities as part of the ongoing resettlement programme.
Zulum was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba; Member, Borno State House of Assembly for Konduga, Hon. Bukar Modu; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; and other senior government officials.
The closure of Bama IDP camp, the largest displacement facility outside Maiduguri, was recently completed, while arrangements are ongoing for Gwoza camp.
