The Federal Government has restated its commitment to implementing the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the North East region of Nigeria, with a heightened focus on realizing this vital initiative.
During a meeting at his office in Ship House, Abuja, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, assured a delegation from UNMAS, led by Director Ileen Cohn, of the government’s dedication to collaborating with UNMAS for the successful reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers into society to enhance their livelihoods.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the government’s determination to develop action plans that will facilitate the safe return of IDPs and farmers to their lands, underscoring the importance of providing technical support for the establishment of a national Mine Action Center in the North East. This center would play a crucial role in enabling IDPs to access education and reintegrate into their communities seamlessly.
In response, Cohn praised the Minister’s efforts in securing the support of the Government of Borno state to facilitate the initiative by providing residential and office accommodations. She also highlighted the progress made in establishing the Mine Action Centre in Maiduguri, affirming UNMAS’s unwavering commitment to supporting the rehabilitation of displaced IDPs and farmers in the region.
