Ministry Defence leads UN Initiative for Northeast rehabilitation amidst IDP resettlement efforts

Kunle Sanni

In a collaborative effort to address the persistent challenges faced by communities in Nigeria’s Northeast region, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle stated that he will be leading the charge for the implementation of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the region.

This initiative, according to the minister comes on the hill of the federal government’s broader strategy to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and restore stability to the region, which has been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry, Henshaw Ogubike on Saturday, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a service located within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that specializes in coordinating and implementing activities to limit the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices.

It was initially deployed to Nigeria in the 2018 to provide technical support  in areas of coordination, planning and technical advise and support to the humanitarian communities and Government, however it was left after years of inaction.

It said that in 2019 the Government of Nigeria constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention to develop a National Mine Action Strategy and a work plan for the survey and clearance of anti-personnel mines in the North Eastern States affected by the Boko Haram Insurgency.

The membership of the Committee include; the  Ministry of Defence (as Chair), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, Northeast Development Commission and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs.

Ogubike said due the leadership of Matawalle, the issue of mine action in the Northeast has gained renewed attention from the Federal Government, with a commitment to collaborate closely with the Government of Borno State.

In a recent meeting with UN representatives, Matawalle reaffirmed the government’s dedication to resettling returnees and IDPs in safe and improved living conditions.

Emphasizing the importance of partnership with UNMAS, Matawalle stressed the need for a national mine action center in the Northeast, extending its reach to the Northwest, where insurgency activities persist.

He said such a center would facilitate the safe return of IDPs to their communities and ensure access to education and essential services.

Through the intervention of Matawalle, the Government of Borno State led by his Excellency, Babagana Zulum has provided Official and residential building for the activities of UNMAS to start in the North East being an epic center of insurgency.

This bold step of the Minister of Defence and Borno State Governor has further demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment in providing support to hazardous areas affected by either war or activities of terrorism.

“There is the need to conduct Technical Surveys to identify hazardous areas that need to be safe before any other activities can take place,” the Minister said.

While commending the efforts of the Governor of Borno State, Mattawelle highlighted some of the benefits to include; assistance for the IDPs, risk education and advocacy, clearance of the identified hazardous areas and stockpile destruction.