Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima, said the state government will continue to relate with the United Nations (UN) and its collaborating bodies on humanitarian services to the most vulnerable and victims of Boko Haram insurgency. He also appreciated the UN and other international organisations operating in the state of the humanitarian supports and assistance being off ered to cushion the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Shettima, who stated this at weekend during a joint press conference with the UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Peter Lundberg, noted also that the humanitarian contributions and supports the government and people of Borno received from the UN and its partners, “were highly acknowledged and appreciated”.
He called on the UN to continue operation in the state despite the raid of their premises by the Nigerian Army by search team on an operation of about 30 houses around the UN offi ce.
Shettima said he had held security meetings on the matter and was resolved that UN operations should continue and the security agencies would continue to provide adequate security to protect lives and property of the citizens and diplomats in the state and Northeast in particular.
He further commended the UN Deputy Coordinator on Humanitarian Services and his group for providing crucial services to the most vulnerable in the society, noting his government’s supports. Responding, Lundberg said the UN and its agencies had stopped work, but after meetings with the government and security agencies, resolved to continue with its operations. He said UN offi cials met with the federal and state government security agents and the governor, where they assured the UN that all issues regarding UN activities, would be respected.
Lundberg reiterated that humanitarian services had been extended to the vulnerable groups all parts of the state and with Borno benefi tting most as the worst hit state in the Northeast. He thanked the state government and people of the state as well as the security agencies for their understanding, support and cooperation to the UN and its development partners.
