Zulum Pushes For Reopening Of Baga-Chad Waterway To Boost Cross-Border Trade

Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has visited Baga town to discuss modalities for the reopening of the waterway linking the town in the northern part of the state to the Republic of Chad, as part of efforts to restore trade and cross-border cooperation.

Zulum said the reopening of the water route is critical to reviving commerce and strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Chad.

During the visit, the governor held a high-level security meeting with military commanders in Baga and Kukawa, where discussions focused on clearing the waterways, which have remained inaccessible due to insurgent activities.

Speaking to journalists, Zulum said the visit was aimed at engaging the Nigerian military on plans to reopen the strategic route.

“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,” he said.

He added that the clearance operation would commence soon, following ongoing collaboration between the governments of Nigeria and Chad.

“We have discussed many issues, and insha Allah, 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,” Zulum stated.

After the security meeting, the governor inspected three major development projects in Kukawa town, including a General Hospital, a Mega Primary School, and the High Islamic College.

The High Islamic College is designed to provide a second chance for out-of-school children and Almajiri pupils, integrating Islamic and Western education to enable graduates to pursue higher education in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Zulum also announced plans for an agricultural support programme to complement the reopening of the waterway, including the distribution of farming tools, equipment, and improved seedlings to farmers and returnee fishing communities.