About 5000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the crises in Plateau State have been absorbed into Bauchi State following the launch of a resettlement programme by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in conjunction with Bauchi State Government at the weekend.
Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said at the occasion, that majority of those resettled were victims of the crises that erupted in Jos, Plateau State between January and March 2010 where over 10,000 of the displaced persons crossed over to the neighboring Bauchi.
Sani-Sidi noted that some of the displaced person had returned back to their homes while those being resettled have opted to remain permanently in Bauchi State.
The NEMA boss who was represented at the Launch of the Resettlement Programme by the Director of Administration Dr Zanna Muhammad said after the initial relief intervention, the agency and Bauchi state government decided to embark on the resettlement programme following the request of the IDPs to permanently settle in Bauchi State.
According to a release issued on Sunday by NEMA’s Head of Press and Public Relations Yushau A. Shuaib, Sani-Sidi who urged Nigerians to learn to live together in peace and resolve their differences through dialogues rather than violence, commended the Bauchi State government and host community for the absorption of the IDPs and assistance provided towards their permanent resettlement in the state.
In his remark, the state commissioner for local government affairs Alhaji Idris Halilu who represented the governor said a total of 748 plots of land have been allocated to the IDPS for resettlement in Lere community of Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state.
While thanking NEMA for the collaboration toward the success of the programme, the state government appealed for more assistance to resettle other IDPs who have also indicated same interest to permanently remain in the state.
The Emir of Bauchi Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimen Adamu while receiving NEMA delegation in his palace, advised Nigerians to be more tolerant and accommodative of one another irrespective of religious or tribal differences. He said the emirate was glad to accommodate the people because they are Nigerians who deserved supports to pick up their lives again.
Jan242011