PEACE BUILDING: NGOs rebuilding crisis-ravaged communities in Plateau

By solacebase.com On Apr 14, 2024

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The Miango Youth Development Association (MYDA), in collaboration with Jinkai Aid Initiative (JAI), as well as other donors, has launched a project to rebuild crisis-ravaged communities in Plateau.

Mr. Nuhu Chayi, Chairman, MYDA, and Board Secretary, JAI, said that Plateau communities had over the years been consistently attacked by invaders, killing many and destroying houses and the people’s sources of livelihood.

Chayi stated this on Saturday in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), at the official launch of the Model Village rebuilding for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The chairman said that they were building 200 units of one-bedroom, two bedrooms, and three bedrooms in Rotsu Community, using compressed mud bricks.

Chayi said that MYDA and JAI conceived the vision to provide a platform for collective action where individuals, organisations, and communities could unite to support the rebuilding and resettlement process for IDPs.

He stressed that the gesture was a testament to the indomitable human spirit that refused to be defeated by tragedy.

“In the past years, MYDA, as well as JAI, have resettled a number of communities by rebuilding and roofing burnt-down buildings. JAI trained 50 young people from attacked communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom, Bassa, and Southern Kaduna on compressed earth brick production and building.

“The beneficiaries were provided with five compressed earth brick production machines and organised into cooperative societies to support the rebuilding of their communities.

“Nkiedowro, Ncha, Hukke, and Jebbu Miango Rikwe Chongu are a few of the many that were supported by MYDA to rebuild and resettle. We stand here not only to rebuild homes, but to restore hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging to those who have been displaced,” he stated.

According to him, the path to recovery may not be easy, but the organisations are determined to walk alongside the affected communities every step of the way.

“Through this initiative, we aim to provide a model in the Rotsu community of Bassa LGA, of a well-planned community that will allow for infrastructure development, healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial support.

“We believe that by addressing these essential needs, we can empower individuals and families in the Rotsu community to rebuild their lives and create a brighter future.

“This will serve as a model from which we will learn lessons, improve on them, and replicate them in other communities in Plateau, and Nigeria at large.”

Chairman of the Occasion, Air Commodore D.B Gani, said that such initiatives were commendable because they would help to take people back to their farms in line with the government’s food security efforts.

Gani, who was represented by Mr Friday Mamman, Managing Director, ECWA Portfolio Agro-Allied Limited, said the initiatives required the support of the government so that they would be a model for other communities to replicate.

The chairman of the occasion noted that it would be cheaper for the government to adopt the model in rebuilding displaced communities.

He urged the people to work for peace, stating that such institutions could not thrive without peace; and further commended the military for restoring peace to Irigwe Land.

Rev. Dr Bitrus Audu, who spoke on behalf of the communities, said in a keynote address that: ”The spirit we are made of is taken from the book of Isaiah 62:1-4.

”The difference between people is the spirit they are made of, whether a good or a bad one.

”We must proclaim peace and freedom because that is the spirit we are made of, and through that spirit, we will rebuild Irigwe land.”

(NAN)