By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Replicating the principle of governance that cares, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state, North-East Nigeria, has declared the intention of his administration to subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
Inability to access farms due to the insurgency and associated reasons has been a major hindrance to agricultural productivity and food security not only in Borno state but many parts of the country.
Zulum announced the subsidy on Friday evening in Bama town,Borno state, when he flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers hitherto displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.
A press statement by the governor’s media aide, Abdurrahman Bundi, on Saturday disclosed this.
According to the governor, a litre of petrol, which sells for between N1,000 and N1,200 in the state capital, Maiduguri, will be subsidised to the farmers for N600.
Defending the subsidy, Zulum said: “This is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict.”
He emphasised that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area (LGA) of the state last year, has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.
“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel. As a result, I want to announce to the general public that government will procure petroleum products and sell to the farmers at a subsided rate.
“A litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but, In’sha Allah (God willing), henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.
The governor added: “The Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure the delivery of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town as soon as possible.”
In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps,to farmers.
“Other materials include 380 units of solar water pumps, 1000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items”, he added.
According to him, his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for use by irrigation farmers and approved the construction of an additional 250.
The governor also visited Darajama and Goniri villages in Bama LGA to assess the ongoing reconstruction work on resettlement in the areas ravaged by years of insurgency.
Zulum expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project and reiterated that his administration will not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its tremendous support to his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.
