THE Delta State Government has opened an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for the displaced residents of Okuama community of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Council.
Recall that camp was set up by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the rehabilitation of affected people from the ravaged community following the killing of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army there.
The government’s committee charged with resettling the IDPs, headed by Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, opened the camp on Wednesday, May 15.
Addressing journalists, Ogbodo said the committee had been undertaking a tour of the area to ascertain how best those affected would be safe in aftermath of the military invasion that followed the killing of the soldiers in the community.
He added that the camp, which was opened to receive affected members of the community, would be officially declared open by Oborevwori on Saturday, May 18.
“So, as of today, the Okuama IDP Camp at Ewu has unofficially open today. However, the state governor will officially declare it open by the weekend.
“I take by weekend to mean Saturday, but we need to firm up with that date and keep you informed. Beyond this point, the camp is ready to receive persons that wants to come.
“We have just done a tour of the facility. Some people that will be coming, there are children among them and the good thing about this place you are seeing is that it is a secondary school ground. So, children who are in secondary school will be taken to the school to continue their education, while we think of long-term solution.
“There are two primary schools down. This camp is located on the most auspicious place, in terms of backing for children of school age. Those in primary school will be fixed, while those in secondary school will be fixed also.”
Ogbodo explained that the camp can accommodate up 1,500 persons, noting: “This place is very expansive and we would be bringing in new structures at very high speed,” he said.
