The Borno Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), has lauded the state government over the reopening of major roads linking Maiduguri to commercial border towns.
The Maiduguri-Bama-Banki and Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads had been reopened for vehicular movement after many years of closure due to the insurgency.
BOCCIMA’s Director-General, Abdullahi Usman, who made the commendation while reacting to the development, said that it would fast track resumption of commercial activities between the state and neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.
“It is a good development to the government and people of Borno.
“The reopening of the roads known as the backbone of Borno business is a big relief, the religion of Islam came to Borno through the route.
“It is the famous Trans Saharan Trade route that link us to niegbouring countries up to North Africa.
“We really have cause to thank God and the government for seeing the wisdom to reopen the roads.
“We are expecting similar reopening of Maiduguri-Baga road so that the famous smoked fish trade resume in full,” said said.
This, he said, would also fast track resettlement and peace restoration process in the state.
While urging the federal government to rehabilitate the roads to enhance transportation services, Usman advocated special empowerment programme for its members who lost thier source of livelihood to the insurgency.
