Yobe, Development Partners To Domesticate National Policy On IDPs, Others

Yobe State government in collaboration with development partners have organised a five-day workshop with a view to itemising and domesticating the National Policy on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The occasion attended by development partners such as World Bank, UNDP, UNHCR, IOM, UNOCHA, NEMA, NEDC and the civil society organisations, security agencies as well as the representative of the IDPs communities was declared open by the state governor, Hon Mai Mala Buni at the Tahir Guest in Kano.

Buni has while declaring the workshop openly expressed happiness that Yobe is the first state taking the strategic step to addressing the complex challenges of displacement in line and responding to the UN secretary-general’s Action Agenda on Solutions to Internal Displacement in the country.

The governor who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali said his administration has in the last five years made concerted efforts that translated into a very successful reconstruction, rehabilitation, and establishment of new structures geared towards revamping the education and improve healthcare delivery and other infrastructures such as roads, water, and electricity supply among others to make life more meaningful to the returnee and the host communities.

“This administration appreciates the various efforts and commitments of donors and development partners especially the federal agencies, the World Bank, UN agencies and other development and humanitarian partners in filling the gaps of developmental challenges and complementing state government efforts to meet the needs of the affected communities.

“As a government, we have continued to initiate various policies and programmes geared towards short-, medium-, and long-term stabilisation and development of communities in post-conflict recovery programmes.

“This administration has continued to sustain government support to the most affected communities to have access to basic lifesaving assistance, including food and non-food items, clean water, healthcare, education, and sanitation,” the governor stated.

In his welcome remark, the executive secretary of Yobe State Emergency management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje stressed that the domestication of the policy remains key as it will enhance partnerships with security agencies, international organisations, and other stakeholders.

“Strengthening security measures, infrastructural development, social services, and livelihood support are integral components of Yobe State’s approach to achieving Durable Solutions,” he said.

The Yobe State SOLID project coordinator, Suleiman Dauda, has while highlighting the objectives of the workshop reiterated the commitments of SOLID project to providing durable solutions for IDPs through coordinated partnerships and institutionalized implementation.

Various partners and government representatives at the event spoke passionately about their commitments to partnership and support to the Yobe State government towards addressing protracted displacement in the state.