On Friday, Annet Günther, the German ambassador to Nigeria, opened 1,900 resettlement homes and an ICT (information and communications technology) center for the survivors in Borno’s Monguno Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the two projects were built by the international partners in collaboration with the Borno and the German government.
Speaking at the inauguration, Günther commended Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno for the initiatives which she said would have great impact on communities affected by insurgency.
“This housing project is a shining example of collaboration between the Borno State Government and international partners.
“Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international donors,” the German ambassador said.
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Also speaking, Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Country Representative, said the projects align with UNDP’s regional stabilisation efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Lake Chad region.
Earlier, Zulum stated that the housing estate consists of 1,000 Two-Bedroom Low-cost houses and 900 Sese-Permanent Shelters.
The governor said that the houses would be distributed to 1,874 households selected from 18 communities who had been living in IDP camps for years.
Zulum said that the German government funded the construction of 500 permanent housing units in 2020 and added 900 semi-permanent shelters in 2023.
According to him, the Borno government built another 500 houses and provided complementary amenities such as a health centre and solar-powered boreholes.
“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed in 2020 under the RS German Initiative to kick-start the construction of 500 houses.
“In 2023, another LOA was signed under the RSF German reintegration funds, enabling the completion of the 500 housing units, 900 semi-permanent shelters, and the installation of 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.
He added that the efforts would support the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of IDP camps in Monguno, enabling smoother reintegration of displaced families in their ancestral homes.
Zulum expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union for their continued support, as well as to UNDP for its unwavering partnership in stabiliSing the region.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud; Sen. Mohammed Monguno; the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko; and Mathew Alao, head of the UNDP office in Maiduguri.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents of Monguno also attended the event
