The German ambassador to Nigeria, Annet Günther, on Friday unveiled 1,900 resettlement houses and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in the Monguno Local Government Area of Borno for the survivors of insurgency.

The two projects were built by international partners in collaboration with the Borno and the German government.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms Günther commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno for the initiatives she said would impact communities affected by insurgency.

“This housing project is a shining example of collaboration between the Borno State Government and international partners.

“Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international donors,” the German ambassador said.

Also, Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative, said the projects aligned with UNDP’s regional stabilisation efforts to restore peace and stability in the Lake Chad region.

Earlier, Mr Zulum stated that the housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom low-cost houses and 900 semi-permanent shelters.

The governor said the houses would be distributed to 1,874 households selected from 18 communities who had been living in IDP camps for years.

Mr Zulum said the German government funded the construction of 500 permanent housing units in 2020 and added 900 semi-permanent shelters in 2023.

According to him, the Borno government built another 500 houses and provided complementary amenities such as a health centre and solar-powered boreholes.

“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed in 2020 under the RS German Initiative to kick-start the construction of 500 houses.

“In 2023, another LOA was signed under the RSF German reintegration funds, enabling the completion of the 500 housing units, 900 semi-permanent shelters, and the installation of 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.

He added that the efforts would support the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of IDP camps in Monguno, enabling smoother reintegration of displaced families in their ancestral homes.

Mr Zulum expressed gratitude to the governments of Germany, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the European Union for their continued support and UNDP’s unwavering partnership in stabilising the region.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Egyptian ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud; Senator Mohammed Monguno; the deputy humanitarian coordinator, Esty Sotyoko; and Mathew Alao, head of the UNDP office in Maiduguri.

Traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents of Monguno also attended the event.

(NAN)