By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to urgently halt alleged attempts to auction critical equipment belonging to the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), warning that such a move could cripple agricultural production and undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild the North-East.
Zulum expressed concern over reports that some individuals were seeking to dispose of serviceable CBDA assets as scrap metal, despite recent federal efforts to revive the authority and strengthen food security across the Lake Chad Basin region.
The governor described the development as a direct threat to agriculture, rural livelihoods and economic recovery in Borno State, stressing that the equipment targeted for disposal remains functional and valuable.
“It has come to the attention of the Borno State Government that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to cart away heavy equipment domiciled at the CBDA premises and booster stations across Northern Borno under the guise of scrap metal auctioning,” Zulum said.
According to him, the assets include irrigation facilities, booster stations, drilling machines, power-generation equipment, tractors, bulldozers, combine harvesters, pipelines and crop-processing machinery procured with public funds.
He warned that removing the equipment would effectively dismantle the authority’s operational capacity and derail efforts to boost irrigation farming, livestock production, water supply and other agricultural activities in the region.
The governor noted that the Federal Government had recently reconstituted the management of the CBDA to restore its mandate and accelerate agricultural development, food security and rural economic growth in the North-East.
Zulum further linked illegal metal scavenging to insecurity in the region, alleging that criminal networks involved in scrap metal activities often have connections with insurgent groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin, Sambisa Forest and the Timbuktu Triangle.
He cautioned that allowing public assets to be vandalised or sold off could inadvertently strengthen criminal and terrorist elements while weakening government investments in agriculture and reconstruction.
“While the Federal Government is working tirelessly to defeat insurgency, resettle displaced persons and revive agriculture, some individuals are working to frustrate those efforts. The people of Borno will not allow the destruction of our collective patrimony,” he said.
Reaffirming the state government’s ban on indiscriminate scrap metal activities, the governor insisted that Borno would continue to resist any attempt to remove or vandalise public infrastructure needed for development.
“We are recovering from years of insurgency and need these assets to drive agricultural and industrial growth. We will not allow anyone to take away equipment that can still serve our people,” he added.
Zulum appealed to the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to intervene and ensure that any proposed auction of CBDA facilities and equipment is suspended.
He also urged military and security agencies to increase surveillance around CBDA installations and other strategic facilities across the state to prevent vandalism and protect public investments.
The governor maintained that safeguarding the authority’s assets is crucial to sustaining agricultural recovery, enhancing food production and securing long-term economic stability in Borno and the wider North-East region.
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