BOKO HARAM: Borno begins reconstruction of destroyed towns, villages

The Borno State Government said on yesterday that it will soon commence relocation of Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) to their communities by January 2016. Gov. Kashim Shettima, said this while briefing journalists shortly after inspecting the first phase of reconstruction work in Kaga Local Government Area of the state.

“Our target is that by January, a chunk of our IDPs should return home; we will make very strenuous effort toward reconstructing towns and villages. “We hope and believe that all our people should have returned home by May 29, 2016 when we will mark our fifth year anniversary in office.

“This is our target, it might be ambitious but by the grace of God, we shall be there,” Shettima said. He said his administration decided to start the first phase of the reconstruction with Kaga local government area in order to attract Federal Government’s commitment as well as that of other support organisations.

The governor said Kaga was also chosen because of its easy accessibility to the reconstruction workers. He assured that Bama, Gwoza and Askira Uba would be accommodated in the next phase of reconstruction as construction equipment were being assembled in sites located in the three local government areas. “As you can see, we are using POPs instead of Brazilian ceilings in all the buildings.

“We have inspected the classrooms, offices, hostels, dining halls and other areas in the primary and secondary schools. “We have also inspected the hospital buildings, their wards, offices, staff quarters, and housing estates. “We are completely rebuilding the attacked communities with a remodeling mindset to turn them to cities with modern facilities that will stand the test of time,” Shettima said.

He commended the Buhari Administration for its commitment to end insurgency in the area, saying that the commitment was a morale booster to the state government.