The Muhammadu Indimi Foundation has announced the construction of a N600 million solar-powered village consisting of 100 units of three-room houses for persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.
The Foundation embarked on the initiative in recognition of the transformative power it could have on the people of the state.
Founded by Muhammadu Indimi (OFR), executive chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, the Indimi Foundation is a humanitarian organisation with focus on purposeful and proactive investments in education, food, shelter, crisis relief, rehabilitation and empowerment.
“Following the trauma the people have been through, we will spare no resource to restore hope, healing, and lay a lasting foundation for growth. It is a well-known fact that our greatest strength as a country lies in our people and our resilience in the face of numerous day-to-day challenges,” said Indimi at the flag-off of the project at the Government House in Maiduguri on October 12.
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“Through our modest activities and initiatives, we hope to contribute to the alleviation of poverty in our communities and unlock Northern Nigeria’s potential. The Muhammadu Indimi Village Bama is one of the many steps we have taken in contributing to building better lives for our people,” he said.
Situated in Bama, one of the worst hit communities in the state capital, the Muhammadu Indimi Village will provide 100 houses for 100 families. Each three-room house has a toilet, bathroom and kitchen.
The village also features five blocks of classrooms, a fully-equipped health centre, an open-shed market to revive lucrative trade among the inhabitants, sport facilities for the children, and an incinerator.
Indimi said the Foundation plans to replicate the 100-unit village in Ngala Local Government Area of the state, another community where thousands of families had fled their homes and lost their means of livelihood.
He acknowledged the immense support the Foundation has received from the state governor, Kashim Shettima, without which, he said, “none of these resettlement solutions would be possible today”.
“The Borno State government donated the land for the housing projects in Bama and Ngala. We really appreciate the tremendous support and cooperation that we have received from the government and good people of Borno State,” he said.
Also speaking, Governor Shettima described Indimi as “undoubtedly an inspiring model of impeccable business integrity and unbounded humanitarian activities”.
“He has continued to identify with our values, challenges and predicament. His decision to embark on a multimillio-naira project of 100 units of housing for the victims in Bama is a specific case in point. The fundamental reasons Alh. (Dr) Indimi is selectively choosing both towns have to do with Bama being the worst affected LGA in Borno and he cut his business teeth in Ngala,” Shettima said.
He commended Indimi’s “generosity of spirit” and the Foundation’s commitment to the resettlement of IDPs in Borno State, identifying Indimi as “a renowned and worthy son of Borno, indeed one of the greatest”.
The Muhammadu Indimi Village commenced in July 2017 with locally sourced manpower and is due for completion in December.
A total of 157 Borno indigenes have been actively involved in the construction. The project is being managed by Cadis Construction, an indigenous construction and real estate development company delivering specialized engineering solutions and consultancy services.
CHUKS OLUIGBO
