By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, have commissioned two major projects initiated by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Monguno town.
The German ambassador unveiled resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), while the UNDP representative inaugurated a 100-capacity ICT centre designed to facilitate digital education.
According to a statement issued Friday by the governor’s media aide, Abdurrahman Bundi, the housing estate comprises 1,000 two-bedroom, semi-detached, low-cost houses and 900 semi-permanent shelters equipped with basic amenities, including a health centre and borehole water supply.
“About 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from the housing project. Each family received food and non-food items, ₦50,000 for household heads, and an additional ₦20,000 for each housewife,” the statement read.
In her goodwill message, Ambassador Günther praised Governor Zulum for the impactful projects, which she said have helped individuals affected by insurgency rebuild their lives.
“This housing project is a remarkable example of collaboration between the Borno State Government and international partners. Funding for the housing units came from both the state government and international donors,” she said.
UNDP’s Elsie Attafuah echoed these sentiments, highlighting the alignment of the housing project with the organization’s regional stabilization strategy aimed at restoring peace in communities across the Lake Chad area.
Governor Zulum, in his address, explained that the German government financed the construction of 500 permanent housing units and 900 semi-permanent shelters, while the Borno State Government contributed the remaining 500 houses and provided additional amenities, such as a health centre and potable water.
“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between the Borno State Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to begin construction of 500 housing units. In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds to complete the 500 permanent units, construct 900 semi-permanent shelters, and install 375 solar streetlights,” Zulum stated.
He added that the state government also built 500 additional permanent housing units and provided toilet facilities for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of constructed homes to 1,900.
“These accommodations are pivotal in facilitating the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families,” Zulum said.
The governor expressed his appreciation to international donors, including the governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union, for their contributions to Borno State’s recovery efforts.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the German Government for their generous contributions and to UNDP for their steadfast partnership. Additionally, we thank all other donors and contributors to the RSF, UN OFFER, and other funding initiatives aimed at fostering peace, stability, reintegration, and development in Borno State,” he added.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud; Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko; the head of the UNDP office in Maiduguri, Mathew Alao; as well as community leaders and residents of Monguno town.
