The Borno State Government on Thursday inaugurated the construction of 25, 000 family shelters for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in public schools in Maiduguri.
The Commissioner for Education, Inuwa Kubo, said at the Bakasi IDP camp that the shelters would be constructed by international donor organizations led by the UNHCR.
He said the construction of the shelters would last for two weeks after which public schools will re-open.
Mr. Kubo, who is also the Chairman of the State Committee on the Re-opening of Public Schools, said the government was concerned about the continued closure of schools, hence the need for the relocation of the IDPs to allow schools to re-open.
“It is an interesting moment in my life to stand before you to inform the world that we are flagging off the construction of 2,500 family shelters for IDPs staying in public schools in Maiduguri.
“The main aim is to relocate the IDPs so that schools can re-open”, he said.
According to him, the committee had sensitized the IDPs on the condition of the new family shelter.
“We have done some sensitization among the IDPs, we have assured them that wherever we are taking them cannot be less than where they were”, Kubo said.
He added that the international donors had pledged to provide water and other facilities in the shelters.
“Our partners are going to provide water and other sanitation facilities like toilets, in addition to provision of additional feeding points.
“I think it is going to provide standard shelters for the IDPs pending when they will eventually return home”, Mr. Kubo said.
(NAN)
