Insurgency: Gombe hosts over 75,000 persons from neighbouring states – Gov Yahaya
No Less than 75,000 persons are currently seeking refuge in Gombe State, due to insurgency in the North East which has lasted for about 12 years.
Making this assertion on Wednesday, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said the state at the centre of the region bears the burden following security challenges in other states.
Yahaya stated this in his address while inaugurating 500 housing units on behalf of North East Development Commission (NEDC), and the graduation of batch B ICT training beneficiaries and handing over of food and non food items donated by the commission.
He revealed that out of the 75,000, many have been successfully settled, currently dwelling within the communities there by, contributing to housing and infrastructural deficit.
Yahaya said, “In Gombe, though not in the frontline but we play host to alot of displaced persons. From the last count about 75,000 recorded families have relocated to Gombe and of those numbers many of them have already integrated with our people because of their hospitality and accommodation to the brothers and sisters that happen to be in such a situation.
“As a result a lot of our resources have been put to stress from schools to hospitals to other social facilities were in dire need of help and NEDC came handy and is doing well enough to support us.
“This initiative of housing development at this very critical and crucial time is really worth commending and appreciating. I wish to thank you most profoundly and it is for that this parcel of land that has been lying fallow for so long but we decided to commit it. This is because we have the believe that whatever you promise you deliver and seeing is believing and in the couple of months when we come here houses will spring up and people will benefit from your contribution.”
He assured that the interventions would trickle to the poor and vulnerable, noting that efforts have been put in place to ensure avoidance of sabotage.
“Let me assure NEDC especially the board that whatever they bring to Gombe it will definitely get to those people that need it such as; the displaced persons, those with great incapacity that doesn’t enable them partake on their business activities. It will be utilized for the benefits of the people of North East especially the people of Gombe State,” Governor said.
Commenting on the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation camp situated in Kwami LGA of the state, where repentant Boko Haram members are de-radicalised, Yahaya urged the commission to give the centre special support.
He added, “You have been doing but like Oliver twist, we ask you to do more. So, that we see them (repentant Boko Haram members) go back to their communities and integrate in peace and harmony.”
Speaking earlier, Mohammed Alkali Managing Director of the NEDC said the commission was set up to ameliorate the infrastructural deficit caused the raging insecurity.
He said, “As you all are aware the NEDC was established to address the development challenges following the insurgency in the North East region. Out of which 4million buildings (homes) were destroyed.”
