The Federal Government has established a committee to implement the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Northeast Nigeria, requiring an estimated $104 billion to meet its net-zero commitment by 2050, according to the Director-General.
Chaired by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, the committee comprises representatives from various government agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, Northeast Development Commission, and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
UNMAS, located within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, specializes in coordinating and implementing activities to mitigate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices.
Originally deployed to Nigeria in 2018, UNMAS provides technical support in coordination, planning, and advice to humanitarian communities and the government.
The committee’s inauguration signals the federal government’s commitment, in collaboration with the Borno State Government, to address the demining of Northeast Nigeria, which has been severely affected by the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists for over a decade.
Minister Matawalle emphasized the importance of this initiative, highlighting benefits such as assistance for IDPs, risk education, advocacy, clearance of hazardous areas, and stockpile destruction.
Matawalle outlined the government’s plans to work with UNMAS to reintegrate IDPs and farmers into society, emphasizing the necessity of conducting technical surveys to identify hazardous areas and developing action plans for IDP returnees and farmers.
Additionally, the federal government aims to establish a National Mine Action Centre in the Northeast, extending support to areas still affected by insurgency.
The minister noted that the Borno State Government has provided official and residential buildings for UNMAS activities to commence in the North-East, further demonstrating the collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in the region.
