Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the commitment of his administration to explore the potential of the shores of Lake Chad to boost agriculture in the state.

A statement on Tuesday by Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, said Mr Zulum made this known during his visit to Baga, where he assessed a portion of the lake for agriculture.

The governor also spoke on enhancing trans-border trade between communities in Nigeria and their counterparts in the Chad and Niger Republics.

Mr Zulum observed during the assessment that with agricultural activities picking up along the shores, the returning communities hitherto depending on government support and humanitarian aid would have sources of livelihood.

“We are here to see how we can support large-scale farming. This town was ravaged by the insurgents, and people were resettled back about two or three years. So, in order to provide a means of livelihood to the people, we have to explore the potential of Lake Chad.

“Our first objective is to see how we can support the Army and the Navy to clear the waterways so that movement by boat from Baga to Chad can commence, which will enhance transborder trade and agriculture”, Mr Zulum said.

While in the border town of Baga, Mr Zulum also approved the construction of the High Islamic College.

The over 2,000-student capacity college would combine traditional Islamic education with literacy and numeracy as well as digital and vocational education.

(NAN)