By Abdulkareem Haruna

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has greenlit the construction of 1,000 residences, marking the first phase of a larger resettlement initiative in the Bama Local Government Area.

The communities of Darajamal and Mayanti, each slated for 500 homes, are the focal point of this endeavor.

This announcement came during Zulum’s assessment visit to the areas on Wednesday. The governor has set an ambitious timeline for the project, aiming for completion within the next four months.

The communities of Darajamal and Mayanti, largely dependent on agriculture, were devastated by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014. As a result, many residents sought refuge in the towns of Bama and Banki.

Zulum at Banki border town

This housing initiative seeks to address the displacement these communities have faced since then.

“A year ago, I made a policy commitment to resettle our internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly in Bama and Banki,” the governor said. “These two Borno locations host a large number of IDPs. We’re now acting on that commitment, targeting the construction of 500 homes in both Darajamal and Mayanti as the first phase of our resettlement initiative,” Zulum explained.

Accompanying the construction of homes, the Borno State government will also supply essential social infrastructure such as primary schools, health centers, and water facilities. Further support in the form of resettlement packages will be distributed to returnees to aid in their transition. These packages will contain both food and non-food items, along with cash, to help establish a means of livelihood for the returnees.

In a bid to rekindle commercial activities, Zulum also visited the Banki junction, assuring displaced persons that the government is focused on their resettlement. The governor emphasized that the state government, in collaboration with the Nigerian military, will secure communities and support residents in rebuilding their lives.

Governor Zulum was joined by Bama Central and Gulumba Woloji’s House of Assembly members, Baba Mala Sunoma and Baba Shehu Gulumba, along with other senior government officials including the commissioners of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Engr. Ibrahim Idriss, and Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe.