Gov Zulum urged to intervene in Borno fish marketers’ crisis

The Elder’s Forum Chairman of the Borno Fish Marketers and Producers Association, Bukar Shettima, has called on Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to intervene in the lingering crisis facing the association.

Shettima made the appeal while addressing journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Thursday.

He explained that the current chairman, Abatcha Mandalama, and his executive members have been in power for over 20 years without conducting periodic elections, which is against the association’s constitution.

Shettima alleged that Mandalama collaborated with the police to disperse members who were preparing to hold a congress meeting to address the crisis and find solutions.

Shettima stated, “They don’t want us to talk; they have been in power for over 20 years, which is against the constitution of the association. We want elections to be conducted; if they win, we don’t have a problem. We know they don’t want to step down because they’re collecting revenue from members, and there’s no accountability for the money collected.”

He further alleged that the association has been collecting revenue in the name of the Borno government, but there is no transparency in the use of the funds. Shettima appealed to Governor Zulum to intervene urgently to avoid further confusion and escalation.

The stakeholders are seeking the governor’s intervention to address the crisis, ensure accountability, and conduct elections to elect new leaders for the association.