Borno Reps seek re-opening of schools

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, backed the re-opening of schools in major towns in Borno State, where such schools had been converted into temporary homes for Internally-Displaced Persons.

The resolution came after lawmakers from Borno State claimed that it was safe to re-open some of the schools if security would be beefed up around them.

The House also endorsed a proposal to establish an agency that would be responsible for the development of the North-East just like the Niger Delta Development Commission is doing in the Niger Delta region.

Borno is one of the three North-East states, worst-hit by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

As displaced persons fled their communities for safety, they settled in schools and hajj camps, among other facilities.

Most of the schools were later shut due to rising attacks by insurgents, while the premises were converted into IDPs’ camps.
But, on Thursday, a member from Borno State, Mrs. Asabe Bashir, urged the Federal Government to build alternative camps for the IDPs, so that they could be evacuated from the schools for students to resume studies.

She also called on the National Emergency Management Agency to build mobile clinics for the IDPs in the new camps, after they would have been relocated from the schools.

Bashir added, “The House resolves to urge the federal government to assist the Government of Borno State to urgently construct temporary camps for the internally-displaced persons so that they could evacuate from the schools to enable those schools re-open.”

However, some members expressed reservations over the call to re-open schools in the state in the light of the insurgency that was yet to be contained.

For example, the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, said it would be wise to seek the views of members from Borno State before passing the motion.

One of the senior members from the state, Mr. Mohammed Monguno, assured the House that schools serving as IDPs’ camps in places like Maiduguri, the state capital, could be re-opened provided that there would be adequate protection for the members of staff and students.

The motion was later passed in a majority voice vote.

(Punch)