The government of Switzerland on Monday agreed to partner Nigerian Northeastern states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of destroyed communities.
Speaking in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the acting Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Dr. Daniel Cavegn, said his country was aware of the level of destruction by the insurgency on not only Nigeria but the surrounding countries and had decided to expend US$8 million on aid to the affected countries of the sub region.
He revealed that his country was ready to partner in agriculture in order to create job opportunities for the teeming youths of the zone.
Cavegn who was accompanied to Maiduguri by the Political Adviser of the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, said the key to putting an end to the insurgency was creation of jobs and improved economy of the zone.
He expressed the willingness of his home government to increase aid to the area as the need might arise, adding that before now Switzerland had been involved in humanitarian efforts to the zone through renowned global agencies.
Responding, the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, said the state was in dire need of aid from all quarters.
He said: “Considering the situation in which we found ourselves and the meagre resources at our disposal, there is the need for foreign partners and international organisations to come to the aid of the state especially in the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the destroyed communities.
“Infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, electricity, public and private residential houses, water facilities, telecommunication facilities, Army and Police barracks and many more have been completely destroyed and require reconstruction and replacement.” Punch
