Daily social, economic activities in Banki excites me — Zulum

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed excitement over the resumption of socioeconomic activities in the border town of Banki with Cameroon.

After serial attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, Banki residents fled the town for seven years to take refuge somewhere else.

Zulum expressed pleasure at the weekend, on his visit to distribute food and non-food relief materials with N84m to 2, 200 IDP households.   

He said: “I’m today impressed that at about 10.30 pm, Banki is bustling with a lot of social and economic activities. This is my best moment since I became Governor of the state on May 29, 2019.”

Zulum also interacted with the night traders and immediately approved the distribution of additional N50m to selected households to boost their businesses.

He noted that the additional disbursement of N50m was to enhance the local economy in IDP camps and host communities.

Prior to the 2009 insurgency, the town was famous for daily border trades with Cameroon.

He lamented that the 2014 Boko Haram attacks forced many residents to flee and take refuge for seven years at the Maiduguri and Bama IDP camps.

“This is my 10th visit to this border town since I became the Governor,” Zulum said, adding that he had approved the rebuilding of houses, schools, hospitals and other public structures.

He said before his departure from Banki, the UNDP regional stabilisation facility, police and paramilitary staff quarters would be commissioned.

He noted that the inauguration of the staff quarters was to establish ‘civil authorities in the border areas with Cameroon.  

“I believe anybody will be happy to note this development in Banki,” he said, adding that the state government would continue to build people’s resilience to promote peace and unity among communities affected by terrorism.