Borno Lost N3bn Electricity Line To Ajakuta Scavengers — Zulum
Borno State has lost a N3 billion electricity distribution line connecting Damaturu to Maiduguri to scavengers, locally known as Ajakuta, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has revealed.
Zulum said the huge loss, alongside metals, electrical materials and other infrastructure worth billions of naira, was part of what forced the state government to ban the scrap metal trade in Borno.
The Governor disclosed this on Saturday while addressing operators of scrap metal businesses in the state, urging them to submit proposals on how they can continue their businesses without contributing to insecurity or destroying public infrastructure.
He explained that the ban was imposed in the overall interest of the state and not to deprive operators of their livelihood, stressing that the government had no personal interest in stopping their businesses.
“It is deeply concerning to me if one person loses his livelihood for whatever reason in Borno; believe me, there is nothing I stand to gain from banning scrap metal trade rather than addressing the serious security concerns associated with your activities,” Zulum said.
“We spent more than N3 billion to connect an electricity distribution line from Damaturu to Maiduguri, but unfortunately we lost all the wires to the metal scavenging activities. Before the ban, hundreds of your members were killed in the process of scavenging for metals in the villages that are not yet safe for civilian activities,” he added.
The Governor further disclosed that security intelligence showed that insurgents use the platforms of scrap dealers to sell looted metals, noting that no responsible government would ignore such intelligence just to be politically correct.
Zulum however granted a waiver allowing the operators to evacuate stock accumulated before the ban at selected locations, a move intended to ease the impact of the restriction on genuine businesses.
