Zulum visits 89,000 IDPs in Monguno

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has visited 89,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently taking refuge in Monguno town of Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent yesterday learnt that for about four years, the town has been housing over 89,000 IDPs from six local governments areas of Monguno, Marte, Abadam, Kukawa, Guzamala and Nganzai, in the Northern Senatorial zone of the state.

During the trip, the governor was at the shores of the Lake Chad, where he laid foundation for construction of 1,000 housing units and a Higher Islamic School.

It was gathered that the 1,000 houses were meant to resettle the Internally Displaced Persons currently occupying schools, while the proposed school project was expected to create opportunities for 10,000 adults with traditional Islamic knowledge to undergo schooling that will qualify them for diplomas in western education.

The State Commissioner of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Engineer Mustapha Gubio during the foundation laying ceremony of the 1000 Housing Estate, said the estate is targeted at relocating the over 89,000 IDPs presently occupying schools and other government premises in Monguno.

He revealed that the housing facility expected to cost the government over N5 billion will be completed within six months period, while the school project will cost about N75 million and is expected to be completed within a period of three months.

He explained that apart from roads, drainages, and high voltage transformers, the estate has provision for school, hospital, boreholes, fire service station, mini market, offices for Civilian JTF, vigilante and hunters, plus offices for housing and water management officials.

Commissioner of Education, Hon. Bello Ayuba said the school will provide qualitative Arabic and Islamic education, and noted that the closure of Arabic and Islamic schools in the area has brought serious setback in Arabic and Islamic studies.