Dr. Bello Matawalle MON, the Minister of State for Defence, is spearheading the Federal Government’s initiatives to bring the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to fruition in Nigeria’s North East.
Henshaw Ogubike, the Director of Information and Public Relations, stated on Saturday that the government established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 2019 in response to the impact of the Boko Haram Insurgency on North Eastern States.
This committee, chaired by the Ministry of Defence, collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Northeast Development Commission, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs.
Their mandate was to formulate a National Mine Action Strategy (NMAS) and a work plan for the survey and clearance of anti-personnel mines.
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), operating under the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, specialized in coordinating and executing activities to mitigate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices.
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UNMAS, deployed to Nigeria in 2018 for technical support, remained inactive until Dr. Matawalle, the Minister of Defence, recently brought attention to its operations.
The collaboration between the Federal Government and the Government of Borno State indicates a renewed commitment to address long-standing issues in the region.
Late last year, the United Nations Representative met with Dr Matawalle, reaffirming the Federal Government’s dedication to developing strategies for the safe resettlement of returnees and IDPs in Nigeria.
Dr Matawalle emphasized the necessity for a partnership between the Federal Government and UNMAS to devise practical solutions for reintegrating IDPs and farmers into society.
“We need to redesign an action plan for the IDP returnees and farmers to go back to their farms,” he stated.
Additionally, the minister called for essential technical support from the Federal Government in establishing a national mine action centre in the North East, extending its reach to the North West where insurgency remains a concern.
“This centre will provide IDPs the opportunity to return to their communities and have access to quality education,” said Dr Matawalle.
In a bold move facilitated by Dr Matawalle, the Government of Borno State, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, has allocated official and residential buildings for UNMAS activities to commence in the North East, the epicentre of insurgency.
This collaborative effort between the Minister of Defence and the Borno State Governor demonstrates the Nigerian Government’s commitment to supporting hazardous areas affected by war or terrorism.
Dr Matawalle stressed the importance of conducting technical surveys to identify hazardous areas for safety before any other activities can take place.
Commending the efforts of Governor Zulum, the Minister highlighted key benefits, including assistance for IDPs, risk education and advocacy, clearance of identified hazardous areas, and stockpile destruction.
