Zulum Urges Federal Government To Safeguard Chad Basin Critical Assets

Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the federal government to take urgent steps to protect critical assets and heavy equipment belonging to the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), amid alleged attempts to auction serviceable machinery as scrap metal.

Zulum warned that any move to dispose of functional equipment would undermine agricultural development and weaken the economic recovery efforts in Borno State and the wider North-East region.

He noted that the federal government established the CBDA to harness the resources of the Lake Chad Basin for irrigation farming, livestock production, water supply, and electricity generation.

According to him, recent efforts to resuscitate the agency following its reconstitution by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources make the protection of its assets even more critical.

“It has come to the attention of the Borno State Government that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to cart away the heavy equipment domiciled at the CBDA premises and booster stations across Northern Borno in the name of scrap metal auctioning,” Zulum said.

He stressed that the equipment in question, including irrigation systems, tractors, bulldozers, combined harvesters, pipelines, drilling machines, and power-generation facilities, remain serviceable and essential to agricultural productivity in the region.

“The federal government procured this equipment at a high cost, and it is serviceable. There is no reason whatsoever to auction them, as doing so will decapitate the CBDA and cripple the agricultural value chain in our state,” he added.

Zulum further warned that allowing the removal of such assets could worsen insecurity in the region, noting that illegal scrap metal activities have previously been linked to insurgent groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin, Sambisa Forest, and surrounding areas.

He argued that such practices could indirectly strengthen criminal networks and undermine ongoing efforts to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.

“The scrap metals business is usually used by clandestine elements, who are remotely connected to BH/ISWAP, as a decoy to vandalise and sell serviceable equipment,” he said.

The governor therefore urged the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to intervene and stop any planned auctioning of CBDA assets.

He also called on security agencies to maintain vigilance around CBDA facilities to prevent vandalisation or illegal removal of government property.

Zulum reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting public assets, rebuilding livelihoods, and supporting federal efforts to restore agriculture and stability across Borno State.