By Patience Aliyu
Jos, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) – In a significant step towards addressing a protracted humanitarian crisis, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday inaugurated a landmark housing project designed to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The ceremony, held in the Ribakwa community of the Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area, represents a tangible move from temporary camp-based aid to permanent, dignified solutions for displaced families.
The project, initiated by the non-governmental Eden Initiative for Humanitarian Support, is a community-driven response to the cycles of violence and displacement that have plagued Plateau State for years. It underscores a critical shift in post-conflict strategy: moving beyond mere survival support to fostering sustainable reintegration and healing.
Speaking at the emotional event, Governor Mutfwang framed the project as the beginning of a “new dawn” for displaced populations. He emphasized that the Ribakwa initiative is merely the first phase of a comprehensive state-wide resettlement plan, with targeted relief promised for IDPs from the heavily affected Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, and Mangu Local Government Areas.
“This is a journey of hope, a story of resilience, and a testimony of a people determined to withstand adversity,” Mutfwang stated. “We can leave here and tell our people that hope is coming… No matter how long a people have suffered, when God arises, a captivity of many years can be turned around in a single day.”
Beyond Shelter: A Holistic Model for Recovery
The governor highlighted the project’s purely humanitarian nature, pledging both his personal support and that of the State Government. He positioned it as a moral imperative, stating, “This is not a contract for personal gain; it is a community-based effort calling on all of us to be our brother’s keeper.”
This call to action extends the project’s scope beyond government or NGO responsibility, inviting a collective societal effort. Mutfwang urged citizens to contribute through labour, materials, or financial resources, fostering a sense of shared ownership crucial for long-term success and community cohesion.
Blueprint for a Functional Community
Rev. Pandang Yamsat, Chairman of the Eden Initiative, provided crucial details that reveal the project’s ambitious, holistic design. The pilot scheme aims to resettle 100 families, but its vision extends far beyond housing units. The plan includes building a school, a clinic, and a trauma centre—a particularly vital component acknowledging the deep psychological wounds borne by populations exposed to violence and loss.
Furthermore, Yamsat confirmed the provision of essential infrastructure: potable water, electricity, and access roads. This integrated approach is what distinguishes a true resettlement from a mere relocation. The initiative plans to replicate this model across all affected LGAs, suggesting a standardized, scalable framework for recovery.
Community Endorsement and the Path to Peace
The local leadership’s endorsement was profound. Mr. Rokwu Akka, the paramount ruler of Irigwe chiefdom, described the governor’s presence as a source of “healing and renewed hope.” Joshua Riti, Chairman of Bassa LGA, directly linked the project to broader goals of “peace, stability and sustainable development.” This connection is essential; without addressing the root causes of displacement and ensuring economic opportunity, even the best-built homes may not guarantee lasting peace.
The success of this initiative hinges on several factors: sustained funding and political will, genuine community ownership as urged by the governor, and the careful replication of its holistic model. The donation of land by local families is a powerful foundation of goodwill upon which this new community must be built. As Plateau State watches, the Ribakwa project stands as a critical test case for turning the page on displacement and building a more resilient future. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
PAM/AZA
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Edited by Polycarp Auta
