By Valentine Amanze
Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha CON, has set up an inter-ministerial committee to map out strategies for the resettlement of indigenes who returned from South Africa as a result of the Xenophobic attacks, recently.
While receiving the returnees at the Government House, Owerri, Wednesday, the governor thanked God for saving their lives despite the casualties recorded during the attack.
He also lamented their plight and said: “We understand clearly the import of this incident. What the displacement has given rise to is that you have to start afresh, begin to adjust either to start a new life or otherwise”.
The governor, however disclosed that a desk had been set up to articulate an implementable plan that would guarantee sustainable livelihood for them.
He explained that the Inter-Ministerial Committee, which would be headed by his Special Adviser on the Diaspora Affairs, Prof, Chudi Uwazuruike, shall comprise of the Ministries of Youths; Labour; Education; Health to be supervised by the Ministry of Gender and Vulnerable Group Affairs, would work out basically how to help them resettle.
The governor pointed out that the state was doing its best to link up with the Federal Government to ensuring that special attention was given to the returnees, as the state has fulfilled all the requirements needed by the Diaspora Commission.
While thanking the management of Air Peace for its patriotic act of bringing home Nigerians at no cost, he commended the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, for providing succor, which has greatly strengthened the returnees since they arrived the state.
Appreciating the governor on behalf of the returnees, Mr. Uche Edih, thanked the governor for his prompt response and fatherly concern, promising that they would utilise any assistance offered by the state to them.
Highlight of the event was the distribution of food items and stipend to the returnees.
