The Catholic Bishop of Yola, Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza has disclosed that the Diocese of Yola has built a Mosque, for Muslims faithful, who were formerly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Sangere-Marghi IDPs Resettlement Estate in Girie Local Government of Adamawa State. Bishop Mamza disclosed this recently, during the commissioning ceremony of the Sangere-Marghi IDPs Resettlement Estate, built by the Catholic Diocese of Yola, with support from Missio Aachen (Germany), the Catholic Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Francis among other partners. “The Catholic Diocese of Yola from her local resources without any support from anywhere constructed the Mosque for some of our Muslim former IDPs”, Bishop Mamza said. The Bishop further disclosed that the Diocese has provided water, through the support of Misereor Germany that provided five Boreholes and Engr. Felix of Field Drill Company, who provided an additional borehole, adding that there has been steady supply of food at the IDP Centre. He however appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for continuous support, until stability is achieved. He said: “Sanitation, and health services (PHCDA), infrastructure and education should be readily available in the local community, in order to sustain its population at the most basic level, and serve as a platform for further reconstruction and development.
” The Bishop said he will continue to advocate for the ex-IDPs population to have access to livelihood, which will enable them to rebuild their lives, and give them a sense of ownership in the reconstruction of their new resettlement in Sangere-Marghi. The Local Ordinary recalled that the project is a dream come true, since the Catholic Diocese of Yola first opened its doors to host IDPs, since Sunday September 15, 2014, after the fall of some Local Governments in Northern Adamawa, following the attacks of Boko Haram on the villagers. “At the height of the displacement in October 2014, when Mubi Town and environs came under Boko Haram occupation, thousands fled into Yola and approached us for food and shelter. It was at this time that St. Theresa’s IDPs Camp housed 4,700 persons”, he said. He revealed that their efforts to take care of the IDPs for the past seven years would not have been possible, without assistance from their major partner, Missio Aachen (Germany), and support from His Holiness, Pope Francis.
