President Bola Tinubu has officially launched the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC) to address the humanitarian crisis caused by internal displacements in Nigeria.
In his address at the launching ceremony of the pilot phase of the scheme in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said, “There couldn’t have been a better place for the take-off of this intervention than this diverse state.
“Kaduna State has offered us a launchpad to venture into the communities dislodged by Conflict. For so long, we have been held hostage by the fear of ourselves and allowed preventable incidents to escalate into transgenerational disputes.
“Today, we gather to say, ‘Enough is enough.'”
According to reports, the scheme will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts which are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna State.
President Tinubu stated that his administration is committed to break the cycle of violence and displacement that has plagued various parts of the country for years.
He said, “Our journey to this point has been long and arduous, but today, we converge in this historic city to demonstrate our resolve to overcome adversity.
“The RSPIC is designed as a multi-faceted intervention that goes beyond mere infrastructure development.
“The non-kinetic interventions we have explored since taking office are best demonstrated by our state governors, and Kaduna is a light of hope in this aspect.”
According to the President, the scheme will “construct residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities for victims of conflict” while also providing “a dignified environment to live and to dream.”
In his speech, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State described the option of Tudun Biri for the pilot phase of the scheme as “a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to wiping off the tears of Tudun Biri people and the poor, vulnerable and underserved in our country.”
Dignitaries in attendance included the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; representatives of the governors of Kano, Katsina and Kwara States.
Others present are the representatives of the chairman of Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; the representative of the chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Hon. Joseph Bassey; Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Mayere, among many others.
Recall that in February, Shettima had inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians.
The committee chaired by Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, also has representatives of governors of the benefiting states as members, amongst others.