By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri

The Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) has said that assets earlier proposed for disposal had reached the end of their useful life and were no longer fit for operational use.

The authority made the clarification following media reports on the planned disposal of some of its assets in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the management of CBDA said the items in question were unserviceable, obsolete and beyond economic repair.

It explained that the assets had been subjected to technical inspection by the Federal Ministry of Works, which certified them as no longer viable for repair.

“The items were duly inspected and certified as beyond economic repair by the Federal Ministry of Works before the commencement of the disposal process in line with extant government regulations,” the statement said.

The authority said it thereafter initiated administrative procedures for disposal in line with due process governing the management of public assets.

CBDA, however, said the exercise was suspended following consultations with stakeholders and in view of restrictions on the movement of scrap materials in Borno State for security reasons.

It added that no scrap materials had been released or authorised for evacuation. “Consequently, no scrap materials have been authorised or released for evacuation or disposal by the Authority,” it stated.

The authority said the suspension was pending further guidance from relevant authorities and the conclusion of ongoing consultations.

CBDA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of public assets in line with its mandate on irrigation development, water resources management and agricultural productivity.

It also urged security agencies to remain vigilant against any unauthorised movement of materials allegedly belonging to the authority.