Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State on Monday visited Mallam-Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of the state where he ordered immediate rebuilding of critical infrastructure.
The visit and the order to start rebuilding critical infrastructure were part of efforts to accelerate the return and resettlement of residents displaced by years of Boko Haram insurgency.
Zulum, who visited the strategic border community on a working tour, also ordered the immediate suspension of all village and ward heads in Mallam-Fatori.
He expressed outrage over their absence during his visit at a time when residents were returning and government was intensifying reconstruction efforts.
The governor’s twin directives — reconstruction of essential public facilities and overhaul of traditional leadership — underscored the administration’s determination to restore normal life to the war-ravaged community and strengthen governance in an area recovering from years of insurgency.
During the visit, Zulum inspected destroyed schools, government buildings and residential facilities across Mallam-Fatori, which remains one of the communities worst affected by the insurgency.
The town’s devastated infrastructure, abandoned buildings and deteriorating public facilities provided stark evidence of the scale of destruction caused by the conflict.
At the end of the inspection, the governor directed the immediate construction of an Islamiyya school, primary and secondary schools and a hospital to restore basic education and healthcare services.
“Provision of basic amenities is critical to enabling returnees to rebuild their lives, restore livelihoods, and give their children a stronger foundation for the future,” Zulum said.
The governor also engaged residents directly, allowing them to present their immediate concerns and the challenges confronting the process of rebuilding their lives.
He said the provision of basic infrastructure was essential to making the return of displaced persons sustainable rather than merely facilitating their physical movement back to their ancestral communities.
The governor’s visit, however, took a dramatic turn after he discovered that village and ward heads were absent.
Zulum directed their immediate suspension and ordered the commencement of the process of appointing new traditional representatives for the returning population.
He expressed concern that traditional leaders could not remain absent from their communities at a critical stage of reconstruction and resettlement.
“Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in stabilising communities emerging from conflict.
“Their presence is essential not only for maintaining communication between government and residents but also for strengthening community resilience and providing leadership as returnees settle into their ancestral homes,” he said.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, to work with the Shehu of Borno to commence the appointment of new village and ward heads without delay.
He said the new appointees must possess proven integrity, competence, commitment and ingenuity and be capable of working with residents, government authorities and security agencies to restore stability.
At the headquarters of the 68 Battalion, Nigerian Army, in Mallam-Fatori, Zulum met with the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. D.Y. Chuwar, and senior officers and troops deployed to the area.
He commended the troops for their courage and commitment to securing the border community and creating the conditions necessary for the return of civilians.
The governor assured the military of continued support from his administration, particularly in the provision of essential requirements to improve their operational effectiveness.
The latest intervention forms part of the broader efforts by the Borno State Government to rebuild communities devastated by insurgency and facilitate the safe and sustainable return of displaced residents.
Zulum was accompanied on the visit by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; member representing Abadam Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jamna Bong; Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele; Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, and other senior government officials. (vitalnewsngr.com)
