The Delta State Government has officially announced the closure of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp for indigenes of Okuama community in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA), after a seven-month operation.
The camp, which was inaugurated by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in May 2024, served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons from Okuama following the devastating military action in the area in response to the killing of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen.
Chairman of the IDP Management Committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, made the announcement on behalf of the state government on Tuesday in Ewu town.
He stated that the committee had successfully completed its duties in the camp, which included providing shelter, food, medical care, and security for the displaced individuals. The camp was originally opened to accommodate approximately 1,500 people, but by the time of closure, only 60 individuals remained.
Ogbodo, a former editor of the Guardian Newspaper, expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori and the state government for their unwavering support during the camp’s operation.
He also thanked federal government agencies, well-meaning Nigerians, and various groups who contributed to the survival of the camp, which ran smoothly for seven months without any casualties or major incidents.
“We are now entering the post-camp era, focusing on rebuilding the Okuama community,” Ogbodo said. “The government is making efforts to restore basic amenities and infrastructure, and we plan to involve private partnerships to help reconstruct the destroyed buildings.”
The IDP camp received a total of N62 million in donations, with N60 million allocated to camp activities, including construction, feeding, medical care, and security. The remaining N2 million is left as a credit balance. Ogbodo highlighted the effective management of the funds, ensuring that all expenditures were carefully planned and accounted for.
As the displaced persons prepare to return to their homes, Ogbodo emphasized that the rebuilding of Okuama is far from over, and the committee will continue to support efforts to restore the community.
He called on the people of Delta State, particularly the Urhobo ethnic group, to stand by the Okuama indigenes during this challenging period in their history.
The IDP Management Committee is set to present its final recommendations for the restoration of the community to the state government in the near future.
Ogbodo concluded by stressing that while the camp’s closure marks a new chapter, the work to rebuild Okuama is just beginning.
The camp, which was inaugurated by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in May 2024, served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons from Okuama following the devastating military action in the area in response to the killing of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen.
Chairman of the IDP Management Committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, made the announcement on behalf of the state government on Tuesday in Ewu town.
He stated that the committee had successfully completed its duties in the camp, which included providing shelter, food, medical care, and security for the displaced individuals. The camp was originally opened to accommodate approximately 1,500 people, but by the time of closure, only 60 individuals remained.
Ogbodo, a former editor of the Guardian Newspaper, expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori and the state government for their unwavering support during the camp’s operation.
He also thanked federal government agencies, well-meaning Nigerians, and various groups who contributed to the survival of the camp, which ran smoothly for seven months without any casualties or major incidents.
“We are now entering the post-camp era, focusing on rebuilding the Okuama community,” Ogbodo said. “The government is making efforts to restore basic amenities and infrastructure, and we plan to involve private partnerships to help reconstruct the destroyed buildings.”
The IDP camp received a total of N62 million in donations, with N60 million allocated to camp activities, including construction, feeding, medical care, and security. The remaining N2 million is left as a credit balance. Ogbodo highlighted the effective management of the funds, ensuring that all expenditures were carefully planned and accounted for.
As the displaced persons prepare to return to their homes, Ogbodo emphasized that the rebuilding of Okuama is far from over, and the committee will continue to support efforts to restore the community.
He called on the people of Delta State, particularly the Urhobo ethnic group, to stand by the Okuama indigenes during this challenging period in their history.
The IDP Management Committee is set to present its final recommendations for the restoration of the community to the state government in the near future.
Ogbodo concluded by stressing that while the camp’s closure marks a new chapter, the work to rebuild Okuama is just beginning.
