B/Ladi Council Boss, Barr. Ezekiel Mandyau, Visit IDPs, Assure them of Swift Humanitarian Interventions

The Management Committee Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Ezekiel Mandyau, Esq has assured Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within and outside the Area of swift intervention by his administration as well as government of Plateau State towards ameliorating the hardships being faced by them.

He made this disclosure when he took a tour of Internally displaced persons’ camps in Bokkos LGA and some parts of Barkin Ladi LGA.

He said having toured all Districts in the Local Government area, he saw the need to interface with the people who are in 12 Displaced persons’ camps in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Jos South LGAs.

He said he was in the camp to identify with them, have firsthand knowledge of the challenges they are facing with the aim of addressing those within his power and drawing attention from the appropriate quarters. He said the State government is working towards the return of all displaced persons.

He admonished them to remain peaceful and prayerful all the time.

He promised to intervene swiftly to the needs presented by the displaced persons through their leaders in all the camps visited.

Barr. Mandyau appreciated the State government, security agencies, religious and traditional Leaders for the critical roles they are playing towards the return of peace.

He urged the people to embrace peace and emphasized the importance of peace.

He said all leaders must come together to foster peace and harmony.

Barr. Mandyau said the State government intention is to ensure that all Displaced Persons return to their homes and continue with their means of livelihood before the year runs out.

He charged them to remain steadfast in prayers and be supportive of all peace building efforts as well as be agents of peaceful coexistence, putting the ugly past behind by demonstrating genuine forgiveness as the Holy Book enjoins.

He said he is aware of their sufferings being a displaced person of the violence attack that affected his Hamlet, Nghar in Gashish District.
He thanked NGOs, the Church, spirited individuals, other groups and the host communities for assisting the displaced persons.

He said he is ready to partner with progressive organizations, groups and individuals for the growth and development of the Local Government.

Leaders of the Camps who spoke commended the Chairman for the show of empathy, love and timely visit to identify with them.

They said the crisis has led to school dropouts, malnutrition, health related challenges and other vices.
The applauded his sense of humanity and said considering the challenges being faced in the camps, they are eager to return to their ancestral homes but the security concern and the condition of their burnt houses pose serious challenges to that.

They listed some of their challenges to include Education, health, water and food which they want the government to provide palliative measures before they return.

They thanked NGOs, the Church and some spirited persons for assisting them since they were attacked, sacked and their property looted.
They urged government to provide them with adequate security and reconstruct their homes so they can return.

They said the attention and supports accorded IDPs in other parts of Nigeria such as the North East should be replicated in Plateau State.

They appreciated their host communities for accommodating them for over a year.

They pray God to provide the Chairman with foresight to lead the local government in the right direction in order to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

Sector 4 Commander, Col. EO Ojo thanked the people for promoting peace and urged them to report criminal elements promptly.

He said his men are ready to deal with those who are not ready to live peacefully. He urged the people to unite and give security agencies the much needed cooperation and supports to make all communities peaceful and safer.

Camps visited were COCIN RCC Bokkos in Bokkos LGA, Gana Ropp, Saint John Vienney Minor Seminary, COCIN Kworos, COCIN LCC Gassa, Heipang Market and COCIN LCC Ban Heipang all in Barkin Ladi LGA.

The tour which continues tomorrow will see the Chairman and his entourage visiting IDPs’ Camps in Rawuru, Dorowa Tsoho, RCC Fan, Mai Idon Tarau and is to be concluded with the camp at Geosciences Anguldi Zawan Jos South LGA.

In the entourage of the Chairman were the top management officers of the Council, Councillors, Heads of Security agencies, elders, Youths, women, journalists and other well wishers.