President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Northeast will witness a change from insurgency to peace and development.
The president said this at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast.
The event preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Buhari said his administration was reviewing approach to addressing the 13-year insurgency in the region and will not relent in restoring peace and normalcy.
“At the advent of this administration in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that I will restore peace in the North East and return it to the path of development and growth. I remain committed to this promise.
“I pledge to you that in the coming months you will begin to witness a shift away from a protracted insurgency to peacebuilding, stabilisation, and ultimately development in your respective communities as we embark on a revised approach to addressing this conflict- A return to normalcy,’’ he said.
The president said that the terms reference of the committee will shift from managing the situation to activating a permanent solution for effective and practicable restoration.
He said the committee, among others, will develop a concise three-year action plan by the end of March 2022 that incorporates national and state level plans, providing a clear pathway for the restoration of peace and development in the North East.
The committee, he said, will also develop and implement a phased plan for the repatriation, returns, resettlement of IDPs and restoration of livelihoods, incorporating global best practices that give dignity to the affected populations.
According to him, they will also be responsible for the development and implementation of a coordinated peacebuilding and reconciliation programme that is culturally appropriate and community-driven.
The president also commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who was present at the inauguration with his Gombe counterpart, Inuwa Yahaya, for his commitment to his people and exemplary leadership.
The members of the presidential committee include the ministers of finance, budget and national planning; attorney general of the federation and minister of justice; minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development; as well as minister of interior, foreign affairs and defence.
Others are the national security adviser, inspector-general of police, chief of defence staff, director-general, SSS, director-general, NIA, director-general, North-East Development Commission, federal commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons, director-general, NEMA and chief of defence intelligence.
While fielding questions from journalists after the inauguration, Governor Babagana Zulum expressed the delight of the people of the region over the development that would cater for IDPs.
He also applauded the plan to bring back refugees from the Republic of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
He said the committee would also look into the management of the repentant Boko Haram members and promised the support of the North East governors to the committee under the leadership of the president.
