Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has announced a plan to reactivate the South Chad Irrigation Scheme aimed at providing a livelihood for the resettled communities of people affected by age long Boko Haram insurgency.

The governor made the announcement on Monday in Wulgo, a community in Ngala Local Government Area.

He said: “Borno State Government will see how to open up and expand the irrigation activities on the shores of Lake Chad. We will resettle new communities and we shall reactivate the South Chad Irrigation Scheme in order to address food crises in Borno State.”

The South Chad Irrigation Scheme comprising of communities along the water shores of Lake Chad, including Gamboru, Dambore, Wulgo, Marte, and Kirenuwa is expected to create employment opportunities and enhance food security for the people in the region.

The governor noted that the State Ministry of Agriculture has mapped out a strategy for the reactivation of irrigation schemes across the state.

He said that the reactivation of the irrigation scheme would provide the resettled communities with livelihoods without relying on food aid for survival.

Zulum said: “You can see the quantum of food that is being distributed here, it is not sustainable to continue with such distribution. It is imperative, therefore, to look for medium- and longer-term sustainable solutions that will completely address food crises in the state. The State Ministry of Agriculture has taken a far-reaching decision that will address the food crises. Among them is the reactivation of the irrigation scheme across Borno State.”

The governor, accompanied by the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, a member of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba, a member representing Ngala at the State Assembly, Hon. Bukar Abatcha and the Local Government Chairman of Ngala, visited Gamboru, Wulgo and Dambore irrigation sites.