Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State
SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has commended the automobile spare-parts dealers, mostly the Igbos at the popular spare parts market at Bola in Maiduguri, for their courage in not moving their businesses away from Borno State but staying put despite the Boko Haram challenges since 2009.
The Governor made the commendation on Tuesday when he visited ‘Bola’, Maiduguri’s most popular market for automobile spare parts located at the central business district area of the metropolis, while on a surprise visit and inspection capital projects in the area.
Governor Zulum, who had recently constructed roads in the market to end the difficulties faced by the traders and their customers who trekked for almost 30 minutes from the post office axis through the market and up to the new board office complex under reconstruction by his administration, assured the Igbo traders that his administration would soon come up with a package to boost their businesses.
“For the last one decade you have remained firm, and you have been with us all the time. Even, during the peak of the insurgency, even when our people are leaving the state. You people have been selling spare parts here.
“The Igbo communities that are doing their businesses here are our brothers. Therefore, very soon Government of Borno State will provide financial assistance to you” Zulum said.
The governor, however, charged the traders and other business men and women at the automobile spare parts market to maintain good hygiene of their environment, before he continued his trek to the State Pensions’ Office where he inspected ongoing renovation work.
At the site, the Govenror directed the Permanent Secretary in charge of pensions to relocate to the reconstructed edifice after the work is completed to enable pensioners have easy access to the pension authorities.
Governor Zulum also inspected progress work at a newly constructed 50-bed maternity hospital at Abbaganaram community in Maiduguri which is under reconstruction.
Zulum also traversed through the state capital interacting with residents with a view to finding solutions to their problems at Kofar Biyu area of Maiduguri metropolis .
Responding to a community request, the governor ordered the remodeling of a Traditional Islamic School in Kofa Biyu where it was gathered he studied Quran in his youthful age before even joining university for his first degree.
Zulum attended to different groups of physically challenged persons at locations he visited within the state capital before ending his town or community visits and interactions.