Since the Borno state government announced its intention to re-open all public schools in Maiduguri, students who have been kept out of schools are hoping to return. SADIQ ABUBAKAR writes on the preparation.
The Borno state government commenced the relocations of first batch of 602 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Yerwa to Dalori resettlement camp to pave way for the re-opening of public schools over Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri metropolis.
The relocations of displaced persons, according to the Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Musa Inuwa Kubo, had been postponed four times before it was formally undertaken.
At a news conference last Monday at the premise of GGSS Yerwa, Maiduguri, Kubo disclosed that the relocation of the first phase of IDPs could have started last year, but logistic and security reasons, however halted it until this appropriate time.
With 602 displaced persons along with their family members in other camps for relocation to Dalori camp, it then appears that every space in a school premises was taken over by IDPs.
His words: “We thank God; it is a reality to reopen our schools that were closed down for over a year now, we are conveying this morning 602 IDPs to Dalori camp with their families, as we have assured the people that this exercise takes care of the basic needs of the displaced persons.
“We promised them earlier that wherever they are being taken to from the schools, will certainly not be less than the conditions that they are leaving behind in these schools, which have turned into a resettlement camp.” Kubo said.
While assuring the relocating IDPs, he said: “We assured the people that where we are taking these displaced persons have water and toilets, all the basic facilities of shelter and security have already been put in place.”
He said that the lack of these basic facilities and the security of the IDPs, delayed their relocations to camps for these schools, like GGSS to be re-opened for students who had been forced to remain with their parents and guardians at homes.
He, however, noted further: “Now that we have got these basic humanitarian and camp facilities in place, we are starting the relocation and immediately after the relocation; the schools are going to be re-opened after this relocation exercise.
Speaking on the state of Dalori camp, Kubo maintained that “as far as we are concerned, the basic necessities needed are on ground, IDPs are being provided with blankets, mats, solar-powered lanterns. There are also kitchens and toilets, put in place for them.
“If there is any other thing that the United Nations is looking for, these to our mind, are the basic facilities that we should provide, which we have already provided before relocating the displaced persons to the camp.
“And if there is any other thing that they want us to provide before we begin the relocation exercise, it is unfortunate, we may not start this exercise for public schools to be re-opened next month.”
On the position that some of the donor agencies like the UNICEF were not presence during the relocation, the commissioner warned that the ideal might not come, but the basic things that are necessary for the relocation exercise are on ground to enable the schools to be re-opened in Borno state.
He said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has built enough family size tents for the re-unifications of IDPs with their families, who had been living separately in other camps for over two years.
He said in as much the Borno state government has appreciated the contributions of donor agencies in the resettlement and relocations of displaced persons, “it is not to say that without the donor agencies’ contributions we cannot do the relocation exercise of IDPs.”
He said the state government has the capacity to stand on its own. He continued: “But if someone says he will assist you, you cannot tell him please don’t. If some of the donor agencies are backing out, perhaps the pledges they have made is not forthcoming, then we cannot stop this relocation exercise.
“It is so important to us that the entire global community; are watching us that we have closed schools and we cannot afford to
continue like this. As far as we are concerned, they (donor agencies) came in, we will not accept them to dictate to us. The fact of the matter is that we work in synergy. We collaborate for the success of the whole IDPs’ relocation exercise.”
Kubo also warned: “If we are to accept their terms of relocating over 110, 000 IDPs in public schools to camps, we might not open the closed schools this year.
“It is going to cause more problems than the solutions we are looking for,” he maintained.
The executive chairman, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Engr Ahmed Satomi, sin an interview with newsman also aid routine orientation the camps is usually for the IDPs on security tips, adding that camp coordinating meetings are organised in all the camps periodically by each camp’s commandant.
He added that Borno state government is doing everything possible to ensure that the destroyed villages are reconstructed for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the IDPs to their various communities.
Satomi called on all Nigerians and donor agencies to come to the aid of Borno state to salvage the situation as maintenance of IDPs is expensive and the state government has been trying I best alongside NEMA, which provides food items and the state government, in some cases, add condiments to the IDPs.
Security measures at the various camps in Borno state, especially now that the camps are target of terrorists, he assured have further improved with the establishment if joint security coordinating team.
However, life in most IDPs camps in Borno state is almost the same, considering the saying that “there is no place like home”.
Even though governments at all levels are trying their best towards improving the living conditions of the IDPs at various camps across the state, more efforts are required to make life meaningful for the people.
At all the camps visited, there predicaments ranges from inadequate food supply, water shortage, malnutrition among others.
An IDP, one Fati Mohammed from Bama at Dalori IDPs camp appealed to both state and federal government to improve their standard of living, noting that some IDPs are already exhibiting symptoms of malnutrition due to poor feeding.
The two-square meal of rice and beans every day, without other supplement, cannot enhance their nutritional balance, according to Fati Mohammed. She said sometimes the food is served without oil and other condiments.
While an IDP at Kofa IDPs camp, Bukar Modu, who lost her two children to insurgency, said she and her husband are currently separated by the Boko Haram, adding that while her husband is alone at Askira Uba, where he is taking refuge, she is also alone at the Kofa IDPs camp.
“I appeal to government to rebuild our villages and return us home to re-unite with our families. If government cannot do this for us, then they should take us home to construct thrash houses for ourselves “the Bama female IDP said.
At least 4, 506 displaced persons were moved to Bakassi camp in Maiduguri metropolis and this has made it possible for the state government to ensure the reopening of schools.
Last week, more than 600 IDPS at Government Girls Secondary School, Yerwa in Maiduguri metropolis were successfully evacuated to Dalori camps.
