IDPs resettle 24 hrs after closure of last camp in Yobe

Barely 24 hours after the closure of the last Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Pompomari in Damaturu, Yobe, the returnees have started resettling in communities of their choice.

Our correspondent who visited Katarko village on Friday, reports that the returnees were busy making up their huts to settling down to normal life after three years at the camp.

Bukar Mustapha, one of the returnees, said his family decided to settle in Katarko to resume their socio-economic activities.

“We are grateful to Yobe government and the people of Katarko for their hospitality and we have decided to settle here to commence farming,” he said.

He said the food support and cash assistance given to the IDPs by Yobe government would fast track their resettlement and rehabilitation.

Hajara Wakil, a widow and mother of three, said she would start beans cake ‘akara’ business as well as farming to support her children.

“The state government gave me N30, 000, two bags of rice, a carton of tomatoes, soap and clothes as parting gift from the camp,” she said.

It was reported that Pompomari IDP camp was established in 2015 with 4, 211 displaced persons from Ambiya Kura, Ambiya Bulabulin, Ambiya Tasha, Sharfuri and Turo Kura in Gujba local government area.

Alhaji Musa Jidawa, the Permanent Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), presided over the closure of the camp on Wednesday.

He said, “The state government has so far expended over N140 million for the establishment, take off, feeding and routine medical upkeep with special referrals to Specialists and Teaching hospitals.

According to him, 2, 897 IDPs had earlier left the camp voluntarily to various communities of their choice and were provided with food items, cash assistance and transport by the state government.

According to the Permanent Secretary, 1, 314 IDPs were in the camp at the time of its closure and were supported with a return package of N9.1 million.

They were also given 743 bags of rice, 596 Jerry cans of cooking oil, tomato paste, toiletries, mosquito nets, nylon mats and clothes among others.