TheCable

The federal government, on Thursday, handed over 1,000 housing units to the Borno government for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.

Mohammed Alkali, managing director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in his remarks at the handover event, said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the mass housing project under the Special Presidential Intervention in Borno (SPIB) scheme in 2019.

According to NAN, the project covers houses constructed through the NEDC, as part of the 10,000 housing units scheme initiated by the present administration to provide accommodation for displaced persons in Borno communities.

“As part of the exercise of the SPIB, the NEDC undertook the construction of the first 1,000 houses from its own resources and funded the equipping of the technical and vocational skills centres around the state at an estimated cost of N2 billion,” the director said.

“The 1,000 houses consist of blocks of four units of two-bedroom bungalows with veranda and courtyards in cluster arrangement.

“Each block sits on 400 square metres with perimeter fence and ample space for other home activities.

“The following social and economic facilities are also provided in the estate: Solar-powered street lights; four industrial solar-powered boreholes; planting of over 3,000 economic trees, as well as provisions for school, market, police station and motor park.

“In the spirit of building back better, we are today delivering an Ngwom town, instead of a village as it was before.”

In her remarks, Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, said the project also includes the graduation of 218 residents trained in information and communication technology, and distribution of food items to communities.

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, commended the federal government for its support, adding that the housing project would speed up the resettlement of IDPs.

Also present at the event were Edward Kallon, United Nations resident humanitarian coordinator; Pauline Tallen, minister of women affairs, and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education.