Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has described the increase in perception of community safety and security in Regional Stabilisation Facility locations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States from a baseline of 51 per cent in 2019 to 87.3 per cent in 2022 as highly commendable.
Agba also pointed at the increase in perception of legitimacy in providing basic services in the Facility locations from baseline of 0 percent in 2019 to 91.1 per cent in 2022.
The minister, who co-chaired the Sixth Regional Stabilisation Facility Project Board meeting on Monday evening at the United Nations House in Abuja, said the Project Board meeting would discuss the 2023 Annual Work Plan Budget of US$27,699,152 and 2023 Required Budget of US$39,895,044.
He stated that the Board would be expected to give advice on where the funding gap of US$12,195,892 would be sourced, among other issues slated on the Agenda for deliberation at the meeting.
In specific terms, Agba said there was “increase in perception of community safety and security in Regional Stabilization Facility locations from a baseline of 51% in 2019 to 53% in 2020 to 86.9% in 2021 and to 87.3% in November, 2022”, and
“increase in perception of State legitimacy in providing basic services in Regional Stabilization Facility locations increased from baseline 0% in 2019 to 56.7% in 2020; to 89.8% in 2021 and 91.1% in November, 2022.”
He also said there was “increase in perception of government performance in providing livelihood opportunities in Joint Action Plans location rose from 0% in 2019 to 60% in 2020, 72% in 2021 and 74.6% in November, 2022.”
Agba said that it was his pleasure to give some remarks as the Co-chair at the Sixth Project Board Meeting of the Regional Stabilization Facility (Nigeria Window) convened to discuss dividends of the Facility’s response package, infrastructure, policies and programmes developed by the Federal Government and Development Partners to stabilize communities in the North-East against terrorism, violent extremism and Boko Haram insurgency.
He said that there was no doubt that the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) States Regional Stabilization Facility locations had been able to heave a sigh of relief after many years of insurgency with the security and other intervention provided.
According to him: “In the last few years, the Project Board engaged stakeholders on issues pertinent to stabilization, humanitarian support as well as resettlement, reintegration and determination to bring an end to the conflict.
“At this time, when all needed efforts are being put in place, the stabilization model has proven to be effective in giving lasting solution to conflict and governance challenges in the affected areas.
“Without any iota of doubt, the success story of the Phase 2 implementation of the Facility spanning September 2021 to August 2024, should be sustained to enable significant community strengthened security, support to restoration of basic services and provision of livelihood opportunities to the populace.”
He added: “It is pertinent to note the development in the Borno model on the management of mass surrenders from JAS and ISWAP factions of Boko-Haram has availed the opportunity to build trust and ultimately end the conflict.
“Efforts were made to build on the baseline of community-level perspectives on Reconciliation and Reintegration through activation of Stabilization Committees to enhance capacity to monitor local reintegration dynamics as well as strategic plan and implementation to meet severe food and nutrition needs in facilities for caseloads management and direct support to the reintegration of persons processed for release by authorities into communities of reintegration.
“In this respect, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Initiative/Legal Framework on handling of persons exiting terrorist or armed groups with an aspect of humanitarian law, international human rights law, criminal law and international refuge law, etc., is apt and timely to ensure objective screening before reintegration.”
Agba continued: “In retrospect, permit me to state that the re-opening of Ngarannam village in Borno State at a joint event by the Federal Government of Nigeria, United Nations Development Programme and other Partners in September 2022, following decade-long insecurity and conflict with the Boko Haram insurgents is a mission accomplished.
“Displaced community members have returned home with a sense of renewed hope for lasting peace and inclusive prosperity. Indeed, the rebuilding of Ngarannam community involving consultation with the community representatives remains a veritable stabilization model.
“Today, that model has delivered durable solution for over 7,500 displaced persons, more than 660 provided with permanent housing with access to safe potable water.
“Also, many have benefited from business start-up grants, among other outreaches. This is one of the evidence of the Facility fulfilling its overarching goals of ‘restoring the destroyed buildings and infrastructure; and strengthening the relationship between government and the people’.
“The project has successfully reversed the influence of extremism and insurgency in the Zone.
Agba concluded: “On this note and on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I want to thank all our Partners that have supported the country under the Regional Stabilization Facility Initiative, which has rekindled hope and brought solution to the humanitarian challenges in the North-East.
“It is fervently hoped that the various planned activities in Phase 2 of the Facility will further bring succour to the teeming displaced families and communities devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.”
Noting that it was his last meeting with members on the Project Board of the Facility as the Administration of the President Muhamadu Buhari, was inching to an end on May 29, 2023 and his tenure, too, he took the opportunity “to once again, thank you profoundly for all the cooperation, collaboration and unflinching support given to achieve this feat for Nigeria.”
The meeting, which he co-chaired with the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programne in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Yahya, was attended by the governors of Borno and Yobe States, Professor Umara Zulum and Hon Mai Mala Buni respectively, among other important attendees.
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