The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annet Günther, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, have inaugurated 1,900 resettlement houses and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) center in Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State.
These projects were carried out through a partnership between international organizations and the Borno State Government. The initiatives aim to rebuild and stabilize communities impacted by insurgency.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Günther praised Borno Governor Babagana Zulum for his leadership and the projects, which she believes will have a significant positive impact on insurgency-affected communities.
“This housing project exemplifies the successful collaboration between the Borno State Government and international partners. The funding for these housing units comes from both the state government and international donors,” Günther said.
UNDP’s Elsie Attafuah emphasized that these projects align with the UN agency’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the Lake Chad region.
“The facilities we are commissioning today represent a model of collaboration between UNDP, the Borno State Government, and our development partners, particularly the German government. We are grateful for their continued support, which has ensured sustainable impact and resilience in Borno and Northeast Nigeria,” Attafuah stated.
She also commended the Borno governor for his dedication to the development and restoration of peace in his state.
Attafuah explained that the state government had contributed additional resources to speed up the development in conflict-affected areas of Borno. She noted that of the 1,000 housing units being inaugurated, half were constructed by the Borno government, and the other half by UNDP.
In addition, UNDP built 900 semi-permanent shelters and installed 375 solar-powered streetlights to enhance community security, especially for women and children at night. The Borno government also established a vocational and skills acquisition center to promote community development.
Attafuah further explained that the initiative aims to improve the dignity of displaced populations, decongest IDP camps, and facilitate the safe, voluntary return of displaced persons. It also aims to foster the reintegration of former Boko Haram members, enhance the socioeconomic welfare of host communities, and strengthen social cohesion.
Earlier, Governor Zulum explained that the housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom low-cost houses and 900 semi-permanent shelters. The homes will be distributed to 1,874 households selected from 18 communities that have been living in IDP camps for years.
Zulum credited the German government for funding 500 permanent housing units in 2020 and the additional 900 semi-permanent shelters in 2023. The Borno government built another 500 houses and provided complementary amenities, including a health center and solar-powered boreholes.
“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed in 2020 under the RS German Initiative, leading to the construction of 500 houses. Another LOA signed in 2023 under the RSF German reintegration funds enabled the completion of these housing units, the construction of 900 semi-permanent shelters, and the installation of 375 solar streetlights,” Zulum said.
He added that the project will help ease the process of decongesting and eventually closing the IDP camps in Monguno, supporting the reintegration of displaced families into their homes.
Zulum expressed gratitude to the governments of Germany, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union for their support, and thanked UNDP for its continued partnership in stabilizing the region.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud; Senator Mohammed Monguno; Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator Esty Sotyoko; and Mathew Alao, UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace, and Security. Traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents of Monguno were also in attendance.
