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Borno expends about N1 Billion on relocating IDPs – Commissioner

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Borno expends about N1 Billion on relocating IDPs – Commissioner

Borno expends about N1 Billion on relocating IDPs – Commissioner

By: Our Reporter

The Borno State Government has spent about N1 billion in relocation of internally displaced persons from the Bakassi IDP camp in Maiduguri to their various local government areas.

The amount according to the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement ministry, Engineer Mustapha Gubio includes the cost for the purchase and distribution of food to the IDPs returning home.

Engineer Mustapha Gubio, who had a chat with Newsmen on Monday in Maiduguri also counter reports from online medium challenging the uprightness of the Borno government in the distribution of cash and food items to IDPs amounting to the said amount.

It was alleged that “the N500 million claimed to have been distributed to IDPs in Bakassi camp for over 3,000 households as declared by the state government last Saturday was not commensurate with the actual number of the IDPs, said to have received the amount.

Also Read: PANEL COMMENDS AIG BALA CIROMA, URGES HIM TO DO MORE. 

NEWSng gathered that many of the IDPs alleged to have collected the amount had left the camp some years ago.”

But Gubio insisted that a total of N500 million were disbursed last Saturday in the presence of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, in which, each head of household in Bakassi Camp received N100,000, while their wives were given N50,000 as stipends.

Gubio asserted that even if the head of household has four wives, all the wives were given N50,000 each, in addition to starter packs such as food and non-food items donated by the North East Development Commission, NEDC amounting to over N400,000 million.

Gubio said, the 31st December dateline given by Borno State Government to close all IDPs camps in Maiduguri and its environs still stand, but insisted that no IDP will be forced out of the city if he/she chose to stay.

He explained that, since most of the IDPs have indicated willingness based on the Kampala Convention, the state government has spent huge resources in relocating IDPs before closing four camps.

He pointed out that, the latest IDPs who have indicated interest to relocate and drawn from Bakkasi camp; are from Gwoza, Guzamala, Marte and Monguno Councils of the state.

“We went to the Bakassi IDP camp with his Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum to distribute stipends up to N500 million and various starter packs which cost over N400 million,” stating that this will enable the displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes successfully.

“With the shutdown of Bakkasi camp, this brings to four officially declared camps closed in the state.

“We’re taking them to the Councils’ headquarters; where there are enough shelters to house them,” he said, noting that the IDPs are not returned to their respective communities.

According to him, they are to stay for a while at the council headquarters, before building houses for them with the provision of schools, health and water supply facilities through the checklists on basic needs of life.

He disclosed that this will also enable the State Government to declare the camp officially closed in a week.

At the Kampala Convention, he said that the closure of all camps in the state is in compliance with the convention, which states that the return of IDPs should be with dignity and pride into the liberated communities.

He said that the IDPs are going back willingly to their ancestral homes without any coercion.

Borno expends about N1 Billion on relocating IDPs – Commissioner

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Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

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Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has affirmed that investments in the circular economy value chain have the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Barikor made this statement recently during a meeting with the management of a plastic packaging recycling (rPET) company, Sonnex in Lagos.

He assured the team that the Nigerian government prioritizes circular economy, noting that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations soon to be gazetted is one of the efforts to strengthen the legal framework for circular economy implementation in Nigeria.

He said: “Circular Economy falls under the Presidential priorities for the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Minister is very keen on the success. Apart from tackling the problem of waste, green jobs have been created .

“The pellets and flakes you produce and export also generate foreign exchange. The Plastic Waste Control Regulations are awaiting official gazette and once gazetted, we would have connected the dots of the framework to implement circular economy in the plastic sector. We are deeply committed to ensuring the success of Circular Economy.”

Earlier, the Managing Director, Anil Mohinani intimated the NESREA boss on the process for the production of recycled PET bottles (rPET), whilst also highlighting the challenges faced by investors in the sector .

He listed some of the setbacks to include lack of a legal instrument to compel manufacturers in the food and beverage sector to embrace food-grade rPET, unfriendly policies by some foreign companies, and insufficient awareness .

“Europe and America create barriers to protect their international recycling business. There is unfair competition. In some countries such as Kenya, there is encouragement to invest in rPET recycling because there is a regulation in place,” he added.

Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG

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National News

ISWAP Terrorists Kill Hunters’ Leader in Borno

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ISWAP Terrorists Kill Hunters’ Leader in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected ISWAP terrorists have killed the chairman of the hunters’ group in Garjang village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 5 a.m. on Sunday.

The victim, identified as Habu Dala, 53, was abducted from his home by the terrorists, who took him through Mulharam to Forfot villages in Damboa LGA.

Villagers mobilised in search of Dala and later found his corpse bearing gunshot wounds.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the hunters’ group visited the scene.

The remains were evacuated to the General Hospital, Damboa, where he was certified dead and later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

ISWAP Terrorists Kill Hunters’ Leader in Borno

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Nine Injured in Kwali Farmers–Herders Clash

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Nine Injured in Kwali Farmers–Herders Clash

By: Zagazola Makama

Nine persons sustained machete injuries in a clash between Bassa farmers and Fulani herders in Gomoni Village, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the fight, which broke out on Aug. 9 at about 3:30 p.m., followed alleged destruction of melon and maize farms belonging to the Bassa community by cattle.

It was gathered that the Nigeria army troops
along with joint team of operatives, and vigilantes were deployed to the scene following a distress call.

Six Bassa and three Fulani victims with varying degrees of machete cuts were taken to Rhema Foundation Hospital, Kwali, for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy restored, while investigation was ongoing.

Nine Injured in Kwali Farmers–Herders Clash

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