It was indeed a cheering news on December 26, 2016 for the people of Borno in particular and Nigeria in general, with the proclamation of the military that the Maiduguri-Baga road, closed years back owing to insurgency, is now open for the commencement of socio-economic activities, especially the fishing business.
This was the parting 2016 gift to the people of the state as announced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai.
The news heralded joy nationwide as Baga fish market, the biggest in the Lake Chad sub-region, is the major source of fish protein for not only Nigerians but also for people in the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger, Cameroon and beyond.
With the road declared open by the military for business once more, the people of Borno in particular and the nation in whole gave kudos to the multi-national Joint Task Force and the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army based in Monguno, for the good riddance, having degraded and decimated the insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin area, to make this happen.
Besides, declaring the Maiduguri-Baga road for socio-economic activities, General Buratai warned soldiers against engaging in business activities in the war zone outside their professional calling, making it clear that the military would not condone any breach in this regard. It will be recalled that there were allegations that some soldiers had diverted into the fish business and other economic activities in the affected zone, thereby creating hardship for the people.
For years, the people have suffered from the humiliation and destruction of the insurgency. They have witnessed blood, deaths and sorrow. Now that there is a glimmer of hope, let’s help the new dawn to be a reality and not a mirage
However, notwithstanding the commencement of the fish trade by the people, feelers from Baga Doron and the environs-the centre for the fish market-indicate that all is not well, especially, for the fish traders in the zone who now complain of alleged high -handedness and exploitation by the officials or group of individuals masquerading in fictitious associations and creating a clog or obstacle on the path of the traders, thereby making it impossible for them (the traders) to function or outrightly incapacitating them.
The spokespersons for the aggrieved traders, Mallam Garuba and Sani Umar, alleged that the said group of individuals, led by one Abubakar Garuba Gamadi from Baga Doron, and backed by some powerful interests, has unilaterally taken over the monopoly of transportation of fish from Baga-Doron to Maiduguri, thereby depriving other traders and transporters the use of the fish market.
They alleged that as soon as the military opened the Maiduguri-Baga Doron road for the commencement of the fish market and related agro-allied trading activities, Gamandi, with the assistance of some powerful forces, took control of the road leading to Baga-Doron and ensured that only the vehicles authorised by him was allowed to go into the market and load fish.
In addition, it is alleged that the same Garuba Gamandi charged per carton of fish the sum of N2,500, and for a lorry load of 1000 cartons, he charged N2.5m, according to the allegation.
Of this amount of N2.5m, he paid the transport owners the sum of N250,000 on each truck, thereby making N2.25m on each truck, it was further alleged.
Further enquiries also showed that the Baga Doron fish market operates twice in a month. It is estimated that at least a total of 20 trucks of fish depart the fish market monthly.
From this number, it is alleged that Garuba Gamandi collects N25m every two weeks and from this amount, he pays the transport owners the sum of N2.5m for the 10 trucks.
Now, there are alleged hues and cries among the fish traders as well as the transport owners as Gamandi alone allegedly decides on the number of packs of fish to be loaded as well as the vehicles to be used.
What baffles many, so far, especially the traders and transporters, is the allegation that Gamandi is exploiting the people in the presence of some members of the security agencies on guard.
Reacting, Gamandi refuted these allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. As the chairman of the Nigerian Fishermen and Fisheries Association, Borno State Chapter, and the acting chairman, Lake Chad Basin Fisheries Association of Nigeria, Gamandi stated categorically that he was not involved in any revenue collection and anything he did was always based on a committee’s decision. He denied collecting any unauthorised money neither was he collaborating with the military officials or soldiers.
Investigations, however, revealed that there appeared some subterranean influence from a powerful interest group, to frustrate the smooth operation of the fish market for selfish ends. There is, therefore, the need by the authorities concerned to sanitise the market for the benefit of all, and as well block the leakage of revenue to the state and local governments. Otherwise, the government’s good intention of re-opening the Baga-Maiduguri road for socio-economic activities would have been defeated.
For years, the people have suffered from the humiliation and destruction of the insurgency. They have witnessed blood, deaths and sorrow. Now that there is a glimmer of hope, let’s help the new dawn to be a reality and not a mirage.
Borno State is the biggest producer of fish in Nigeria-thanks to Lake Chad Rivers which provides employment for over a million people that include not only fish traders, but also, merchants in other sectors.
However, as a result of the insurgency, which has plagued the zone for some years now, coupled with the receding waters of the lake, fishing and other related economic activities of the region have drastically reduced, culminating not only in reduction of the population of the region but also, in dwindling socio-economic activities.
Consequently, the fish trade in particular, among others, is adversely affected as the output has reduced, thereby prompting the increase in the price of the commodity.
It is, however, gratifying to note that Nigeria and other countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission have put efforts in motion, to dredge the lake and divert waters from the Congo River, to halt the depleting population of the zone through mass movement, owing to economic hardship.
*Izekor, a journalist, public affairs analyst, is a member of the Board of Advisers of The Point.
