$104b needed to meet net zero commitment by 2050 – DG.

$104b needed to meet net zero commitment by 2050 – DG.

The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to actualise the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Northeast Nigeria.

The committee chaired by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, was constituted by the Minister, according to a statement from the minister’s office on Saturday, February 24.

Other members of the committee are representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, Northeast Development Commission and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The UNMAS is a service located within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that specialises in coordinating and implementing activities to limit the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices.

The Nation recalls that the UNMAS was initially deployed to Nigeria in 2018 to provide technical support in areas of coordination, planning and technical advice and support to the humanitarian communities and government, but left after years of inaction.

The inauguration of the committee is an indication that the present administration in synergy with the Borno State Government has given the issue of demining of Northeast, which was ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists for more than a decade, adequate attention.

Speaking after inaugurating the committee, Matawalle said the inauguration of the committee was a “bold step” that the federal government was committed to providing support to hazardous areas affected by either war or activities of terrorism.

The Minister said some of the benefits of the UNMAS include assistance for the IDPs, risk education and advocacy, clearance of the identified hazardous areas and stockpile destruction.

Matawalle said the federal government would work with the UNMAS in working out a workable solution in reintegrating IDPs and farmers into society for better life.

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

“We need to redesign action plan for the IDP returnees and farmers to go back to their farms.

He said the federal government would also provide essential technical support for the establishment of a National Mine Action Centre in the Northeast and extend it to the Northeast where incidences of insurgency are still prevalent.

 “Such a centre will afford the IDPs the opportunity to return to their communities and have access to quality education,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the Borno State Government has provided official and residential buildings for the activities of UNMAS to commence in the North-East.