Shettima to IDPs: Return to your homes, stop depending on free food, money

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has said that the over-dependence on international aids by the people of the state should stop, describing it as unsustainable. 

Shettima made this known during his two days tour to the Lake Chad Basin region where he used the occasions to distribute food items and inspect ongoing projects under construction.

He noted that the people from Monguno, Nganzai and others don't have any reason of staying at IDP camps in Maiduguri.

"Our consensus is to rebuild our community so that people can disengage from this culture of begging, indolence, total dependent on UN and others humanitarian aids because this is unsustainable.

"Our people need to restore back their dignity. We have seen people in Kukawa, Monguno and Baga how they are going about their daily activities.

"People from those parts of the state don't have reasons of staying at IDP camps in Maiduguri. If people from Marte, Gulumbali and Malam Fatori are staying at IDP camp, it’s understandable because of poor terrain and safety but there is no reason for anybody from Kukawa, Monguno, Nganzai to stay in IDP camps and be collecting meal tickets.

"Gradually, our people have become professional beggars and politician wearing big regalia like mine harassing people.

"So, we need to do something fast about it. We have to encourage them to go back to their community especially where there is relatives peace," he said.

Gov. Shettima flagged off distribution of food items provided by National Emergency Management Agency to address starvation around Lake Chad Basin of the state.

The distribution was done in Magumeri, Nganzai, Guzamala, Monguno, Marte and Kukawa as well as inspection of projects such as General Hospital and mega schools under construction in the five local government area of the state.