Governor Zulum: Scavengers Looted N3bn Power Line Wires in Borno

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has revealed that metal scavengers completely pilfered all the wires procured for a N3 billion electricity distribution line that was intended to link Damaturu in Yobe State to Maiduguri. This incident, among other pressing security concerns, informed the state government’s decision to impose a ban on the scrap metal trade across Borno State.

Abdulrahman Bundi, the governor’s Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that Governor Zulum shared this information while engaging with business operators in Maiduguri on Saturday. Zulum clarified that the ban was initially enacted in the overall best interest of the state and was not aimed at depriving operators of their means of livelihood.

He stressed that the government harbored no personal agenda in halting their businesses, asserting that the measure was designed to safeguard public infrastructure and bolster security. The governor noted, “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.”

Zulum further expressed his deep concern for any individual losing their livelihood, stating, “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.” He detailed the significant loss, explaining, “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.”

The governor also disclosed that security agencies had gathered intelligence indicating that terr*rists were collaborating with scavengers to sell looted metals. He remarked, “We have security intelligence that even the insurgents use your platforms to sell looted metals. So, no responsible government will ignore such intelligence just to be politically correct.”

Bundi added that the governor has, however, granted a waiver, allowing operators to clear existing stock accumulated before the ban at specific designated locations. This move is intended to alleviate the impact of the restriction on legitimate businesses. Bundi concluded that Governor Zulum “urged them to submit proposals on how they can continue their businesses without contributing to insecurity or destroying public infrastructure.”