Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has appealed to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, to provide accommodation for Internally Displaced Persons in the state.
Engineer Sule made the appeal while flagging off the symbolic distribution of assorted relief materials donated by the ministry to IDPs affected from recent communal crisis in the state, which took place at the Government House, on Monday.
According to the Governor, even though the state is presently enjoying relative peace, there is every need to prepare for the unforseen, by making contingencies plans towards taking care of IDPs in the state.
While flagging off the symbolic distribution of assorted relief materials to victims of the recent crisis, Engineer Sule commended the national commission for refugees ministry for the gesture, which he said will strengthen the efforts of his administration to cater for the plight of the displaced persons.
He recalled that the state witnessed skirmishes that resulted in humanitarian crisis, leading to the displacement of 39, 000 persons across eight communities.
The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to collaborate with security agencies, traditional and religious leaders as well as community leaders, with a view to not only ensure the protection of lives and property but to also ensure normalcy returns to the affected communities.
Commenting on decision of the national commission for refugees to undertake the training of some of the IDPs on ICT, Engineer Sule assured that the right persons will be selected to receive the training for value addition, employment generation and wealth creation.
The governor sympathized with the victims of the crisis, as well as condoled with families of those who lost their lives during the skirmishes.
On her part, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, disclosed that the commission is in Nasarawa State to distribute relief materials to 250 households earlier displaced.
She explained that the commission was mandated to provide protection, assistance, as well as ensure durable solutions are proffered for IDPS in the country.
Hajiya Imaan commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring a coordinated approach towards social inclusion to combat the effect of poverty.
She assured that the commission will continue to bring hope to IDPs and to make them believe that government is taking seriously their rehabilitation, integration and resettlement back into society.
The federal commissioner announced that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a pilot resettlement city in Nasarawa State on Saturday.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Barrister Z. Z Allumagha, recalled the May 2021 Ajumaka crises that resulted in the death of nine persons, with 39, 000 others displaced, giving rise to the establishment of eight IDP camps.
