Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Wednesday expressed commitment to strengthening economic ties with the Republic of Chad to revive trade and socio-economic activities.

The influx of insurgency has disrupted trade and socio-economic activities.

The governor made this known when the Chadian delegation, led by Gen. Abdulkarim Itno, paid him a sympathy visit in his office over the September 10 Maiduguri flood disaster.

Mr Zulum promised to reciprocate the visit to the Chad Republic and meet with President Idris Derby to discuss regional economic and trade-related issues.

“I will soon pay a visit to Chad to discuss matters of mutual interest, particularly the restoration of waterway transport between Baga town and Chad to facilitate commerce,” he assured.

Mr Zulum also pledged to foster relationships between the Chambers of Commerce in Chad and the Northern states in the Nigerian Republic to bolster economic partnership between the two countries.

The governor further announced plans for the state to repatriate some Nigerians currently taking refuge in Baga Sola in the Chad Republic.

He commended Mr Derby’s leadership in the fight against Boko Haram and extended condolences for the recent loss of Chadian military personnel, who were killed in military operations.

Responding, Mr Itno, who conveyed Mr Derby’s sympathy to the people of Borno over the flood disaster in Maiduguri and its neighbouring communities, described the people of Borno and Chad as one who shared similar cultures and traditions.

According to him, the president is personally leading the war against Boko Haram following the brutal killing of more than 40 soldiers by the insurgents.

(NAN)