Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has praised President Bola Tinubu for selecting Tudun Biri village as the first beneficiary of the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflicts.

The governor disclosed this on Friday, noting that the decision followed the accidental bombing incident of December 2023, which claimed the lives of innocent residents.

Speaking at the commissioning of newly built houses, a 6-kilometre road, a Primary Healthcare Centre, and a Skills Acquisition Centre in Tudun Biri, Governor Sani said the President’s directive had produced an integrated development model aimed at long-term recovery.

According to him, the initiative has demonstrated that lasting peace is achieved not only through security interventions but also through development, inclusion, and economic empowerment.

He explained that the resettlement scheme went beyond temporary relief, focusing instead on comprehensive reconstruction by providing modern housing supported with essential social infrastructure to ensure safe and sustainable living.

Governor Sani stated that the Kaduna State Government played a key role in the reconstruction process from the early aftermath of the tragedy to the completion and commissioning of the projects.

He said portions of farmland were converted for residential and community infrastructure development to guarantee orderly housing layouts, road networks, and public facilities. Farmers affected by the land use, he added, were consulted and adequately supported through livelihood interventions, including priority access to agricultural inputs, empowerment initiatives, skills programmes, and alternative livelihood options where necessary.

“In the immediate aftermath, we coordinated emergency medical care, provided psychosocial support, and worked closely with community leaders to ensure effective relief distribution,” the governor said.

“As recovery advanced, our focus deliberately expanded to healthcare, education, livelihoods, and infrastructure, guided by our firm policy that Kaduna State will not tolerate the creation of internally displaced persons camps,” he added.

Governor Sani explained that his administration prioritises resettlement within communities, preservation of social ties, and the restoration of economic activity.

He disclosed that the state government constructed and equipped a 25-bed Primary Healthcare Centre in Tudun Biri, offering services such as maternal care, minor surgical procedures, and ophthalmological treatment.

He further noted that infrastructure development played a vital role in the community’s recovery, highlighting the construction of a 6-kilometre asphalt road linking Tudun Biri to the Kaduna International Airport corridor.

To address the economic challenges faced by affected families, the governor said Tudun Biri residents were prioritised in social intervention programmes, including the distribution of fertiliser, rice, and maize. He added that sustained psychosocial and medical support was provided through the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency.

The governor also revealed that a Skills Acquisition Centre was established to equip young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to promote employment, income generation, and self-reliance.

In the education sector, he said a new primary school was constructed with the support of the Nigerian Army and other development partners to ensure uninterrupted learning for children in the community.

Governor Sani commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his leadership and oversight, describing his role as instrumental to the success of the project.

“As Chairman of the committee that refined and guided the implementation plan, the Vice President ensured that commitments were translated into measurable outcomes,” he said.

He added that Vice President Shettima’s commitment to restoring Tudun Biri was unsurprising, given his experience as former Governor of Borno State, where he spent eight years addressing similar challenges.

The governor also expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, and her team, commending their professionalism in coordinating, monitoring, and ensuring transparent use of resources throughout the project.

In his remarks, Vice President Shettima said the commissioning of the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme reaffirmed the nation’s belief that fairness and compassion are essential pillars of national unity.

He described the project as a source of hope for families whose lives were disrupted, stressing that it reflects the Federal Government’s commitment not to abandon citizens in times of adversity.

According to the Vice President, the rehabilitation scheme is a Federal Government initiative designed to deliver durable recovery and resettlement, with similar projects currently underway in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, and Benue states.

He said the projects represent a coordinated national response to internal displacement, focusing on sustainable solutions, community resilience, and the restoration of dignity to conflict-affected Nigerians.

Vice President Shettima also commended Governor Uba Sani for his administration’s inclusive approach and effective collaboration with the Federal Government.

He noted that the success of such initiatives depends on trust, partnership, and shared responsibility among federal and state governments, host communities, and development partners, adding that the governor’s leadership reflects the promise of better days ahead for Kaduna State.