Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, has solicited the support of the Qatar Charity Foundation to fast track resettlement of persons displaced by banditry in the state.
Radda made the call during a visit to the Qatar Charity Foundation, Nigeria office in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Ibrahim Kaula, in Katsina on Friday.
The governor while speaking on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and the foundation highlighted the urgent need for intervention to address insecurity and banditry.
He stressed the need for the reconstruction of destroyed houses to facilitate resettlement of displaced persons to their localities, adding that the measure would encourage larger villages for improved security coordination.
According to Radda, the state government is working in partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), German and Norwegian Embassies to support displaced persons in empowerment and housing initiatives.
The statement also quoted Radda as soliciting the support towards the construction of Islamic schools, boreholes and housing units, particularly in the face of resource challenges exacerbated by the insecurity.
He outlined plans by the government to build Qur’anic memorisation centres across the three senatorial zones in the state.
The centres, he said, would be integrated into formal school system to enhance teaching of core subjects.
While congratulating the Qatari government for its global economic growth and tourism initiatives, Radda pledged unwavering support to the foundation’s objectives.
The governor further lauded the foundation over the construction of an Islamic Centre in Daura, and its contributions toward the growth of Islamic education.
According to the governor, the security situation has improved by about 70 per cent since inception of the Security Guard Watch in the state.
Responding, the Country Director of the foundation, Hamdi El-Sayid Abdou, said the foundation focused on education, scholarships, health and empowerment programmes.
Abdou said the foundation would provide scholarships to orphans and social housing units to persons affected by banditry, adding that it would also renew the MoU and complete the Islamic Centre project in Daura.