Zulum moves to reopen Baga-Chad waterway, inspects key projects in Borno

Politics

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday visited Baga town to discuss plans for the reopening of the waterway linking the northern part of the state with the Republic of Chad, in a move aimed at reviving trade, commerce and cross-border cooperation.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson and media adviser, Dauda Iliya, the initiative is expected to enhance economic activities and strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Chad.

As part of the visit, Governor Zulum held high-level security meetings with military commanders in Baga and Kukawa to deliberate on measures required to clear and secure the water routes, which have remained largely inaccessible due to years of insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region.

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Speaking to journalists after the meetings, the governor said discussions focused on practical steps towards restoring navigation along the strategic waterway.

“Our visit to Baga was to interface with the Nigerian military to discuss the modalities for clearing waterways from Baga to the Republic of Chad,” Zulum said.

“We have discussed many issues and, by the grace of God, the clearance exercise will resume very soon. The governments of Chad and Nigeria are working together to determine how commodities will move between the two countries.”

The reopening of the waterway is expected to facilitate the movement of goods and services, improve livelihoods and boost economic integration among communities around the Lake Chad Basin.

Following the security meetings, Governor Zulum embarked on an inspection tour of major public infrastructure projects in Kukawa Local Government Area.

The projects inspected included an ongoing General Hospital, a Mega Primary School and the High Islamic College, all designed to improve access to healthcare, education and social development services in the area.

The High Islamic College is intended to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils by integrating Islamic and Western curricula. The model, according to the state government, will enable graduates to qualify for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

In addition to the infrastructure projects, the governor announced plans to support farmers and fishing communities as part of broader efforts to revitalise economic activities in the region.

He said the state government would soon distribute farming tools, agricultural implements and improved seedlings to local farmers as well as returnee fishing communities to boost food production and livelihoods. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Borno State Government to restore normalcy, improve economic opportunities.