By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, during a visit to Maiduguri promised that the federal government would resettle all those displaced by the insurgency that has ravaged the North east in recent years.

He also said their welfare would be given top priority in subsequent government spending.

Osinbajo who visited some of the camps that currently accommodate an estimated 1.5 million internally displaced persons, IDPs, in Borno Satate, reemphasized that the essence of governance was the security and welfare of the people.

At the Dalori camp, one of the 22 IDP camps in the state, the Vice President said he had gained more insight on the huge challenges faced by the IDPs during his visit.

While praising the efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, over their support for the displaced persons, he said he had equally met with different stakeholders in the state who apprised him of the challenges faced at the camps.

At every camp visited, Osinbajo was quick to state that he was in Maiduguri as a representative of the president, Muhammadu Buhari.

“I am here in Borno state and in particular in this camp on the specific instructions of the President, who out of great concern for the wellbeing and the welfare of men, children and women in this camp has sent me here. He has asked me to come and see for myself what is going on at the IDP camps located in the northeast,” Osinbajo stated.

He said that from his assessment, he could see that there was a great deal of suffering and pain being experienced at the camps by the IDPs.

He, however, commended the state governor, Kashim Shettima for putting in place measures to ameliorate the plight of the IDPs.

“This is overwhelming task and a great task indeed and he has rendered tremendous service not just for his people but for the entire populace of this country,” the Vice President said.

He affirmed the federal government’s resolve to play a leading role in bringing about suitable measures to bring succor to the besieged communities, adding that state government and nongovernmental bodies would equally be carried along in the implementation of such steps.

“The work of resettlement involves a big deal, not just taking people back to their homes; it involves rebuilding and in doing this we have to rebuild their homes, schools, and places of worships. We will collaborate with the state government and NGOs in this regards. We will do this within a short time,” Osinbajo promised.

He said although the federal government was currently battling with financial challenges, it would, however, place the northeast in its list of priorities in the disbursement of funds.

Osinbajo’s visit to the city was, however, not without hiccups as there was massive traffic gridlock across the city due to the closure of major roads from as early as 7am in honor of the visiting official.

Many had to resort to trekking to get to their destination during the period of the visit.

Respite came for residents only after the Vice President left Maiduguri around 3.30pm.