There is sufficient restoration of peace in the northeast zone now for the federal government to include it in its ambitious agricultural plans for the country. For that to happen, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has called for the revitalisation of the South Chad and Yauri irrigation projects in the state. That appears to have been one of the reasons he visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Zulums plea was disclosed to journalists after meeting with President Tinubu. The projects had been stalled as a result of Boko Haram insurgence in the Northeastern region of the country.
The governor said the South Chad irrigation project has the potential to produce food to cater for the needs of the entire northern Nigeria or even the entire country.
Hear him, Now that we are having relative peace in Borno State, theres a need for the government to ensure the reestablishment of South Chad irrigation project. Zulum noted that the revitalization process should be backed by a strong security structure in the Lake Chad Basin, a move that will revive farmers’ confidence to access their farmlands.
When these two irrigation projects are reestablished, I believe the issue of food security will be addressed not only in Borno State but also in Nigeria, Zulum stressed on Tuesday.
