By: Our Correspondent
MAIDUGURI, North-East, Nigeria – Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, said it was important that the roles of all humanitarian agencies operating in the state be properly identified to avoid duplications.
He stated this when he received the United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Sir Mark Lowcock, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, and the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, who paid him a courtesy visit in Maiduguri.
The team were in the State to focus on addressing humanitarian issues and to enhance coordination of interventions in the area.
According to him, the Government need to understand the activities of the partners, with a view to reducing duplications.
“We want to understand who is working in our state, what he is doing and where he is working,” he said.
While commending the efforts of all humanitarian actors rendering different services in the northeast, Governor Zulum, said it was necessary for the State Government to lead in coordination of all interventions in the area.
The Governor expressed his deepest appreciation to the UN Under Secretary General, Lowcock and the Minister, Sadiya Farouq.
He recalled that Borno State has suffered the worst hit epicenter of the insurgency in which case 75 per cent of the infrastructures were destroyed while agricultural activities were suspended due to threats.
He explained further that no household in the state was spared the effects of the insurgency as both the internally displaced, those taking refuge in neighboring countries and residents had felt the burden of different levels.
He however said that with improvement in the security situation, the Government of Borno will focus on the economic recovery and stabilization.
Earlier, the Minister of Humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, informed the Governor that the visit was to discuss issues relating to humanitarian operations in the state.
She further stated that following the blacklist of some humanitarian organizations by the military, an investigation was ongoing but before the outcome, her ministry would step up with interventions by providing relief items to displaced persons.
The UN Under Secretary General,
Sir Lowcock assured the Governor and the minister that all international organizations involved in humanitarian interventions are registered with the Nigerian authority and are operating under a frame work provided by it.