‘Challenges of rebuilding destroyed Borno communities are enormous’

To speed up the rebuilding of communities destroyed by Boko Haram in Borno State, more interventions funds from Federal Government and international donor agencies are required, Commissioner, Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR), Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has stated.

Zulum, briefing journalists at the weekend on the challenges the state government is encountering in rebuilding the destroyed communities, said the challenges of rebuilding destroyed communities are enormous; considering the magnitude of destruction of lives and property in the last five years in those areas.

“Our major funding comes from the state government. We just received some funds from Victims Support Fund (VSF), but we need more interventions from Federal Government and donor agencies to speed up the reconstruction in Bama and other communities,” said the commissioner.

He disclosed that the reconstruction of destroyed houses in Bama has reached 30 per cent, though the completion would depend on availability of funds.

Zulum noted that the damage done to houses and properties in Bama surpasses those of border towns of Damasak, Gambouru/Ngala, Banki and Dikwa by over 50 per cent.

He further said that after completing the rebuilding of Bama, the next target of the ministry was to commence rebuilding the destroyed border towns of Damasak and Gambouru/Ngala.