Federal Govt Unveils Smart Cities In Borno, Kano, 2 Others To Address Humanitarian Challenges

The federal government has inaugurated resettlement cities to address humanitarian challenges across the country, with the flag-off of the maiden edition of the Nigeria International Humanitarian Summit (NIHS).

Outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the model of the Nigeria Humanitarian hub, smart resettlement  cities and digital academy in the four States of Borno, Kano, Nasarawa and Zamfara.

Buhari performed the functions during the opening ceremony of the NIHS at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, and heads of agencies under the ministry, concluded the summit over the weekend in Abuja.

He explained that the cities were designed to foster the resettlement and reintegration of persons of concern in Nigeria and enhance their social and economic wellbeing, while strengthening the host communities.

According to the him, the cities played a central role in supporting the commission in achieving its objective of providing durable solutions to persons of concern in Nigeria.

“The resettlement cities in four states at Kondugo, Borno State, Dawakin Tofa, Kano State, Keffi, Nasarawa State, and Gusau, Zamfara State, have been completed. Each city consists of 50 units of two-bedroom blocks of flats and 20 units of studio apartments.

“The resettlement cities are equipped with a resource centre for skill acquisition, a police station to ensure security, a clinic for primary healthcare provision, a large expanse of land for farming, and a market for facilitating trade and industry to promoting economic growth in the local community

“The Nigeria Humanitarian Hub when completed will serve as the central coordinating centre for humanitarian activities in Nigeria. The hub will accommodate all the stakeholders in the humanitarian sector under one central coordinating facility.”

In her address during the closing ceremony of the summit, Minister Farouq stated that the federal government was currently finalising arrangements to take in and empower about 490 beneficiaries under Batch-C of the N-Power programme.

She also stated that the number of registered persons in the social security register had increased to over 60 million, as of April this year, adding that the government would continue to strive to meet the yearnings of Nigerians of concern.

Farouq said her ministry had effectively addressed humanitarian issues with the formulation of eight policies. She outlined the policies to include the National Policy on IDPs 2020; National Disaster Risk Management; and Revised National Disability Policy 2020.