Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced that the state government will subsidize the cost of petrol for farmers in communities impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency. The announcement was made on Friday evening in Bama town during the flag-off of the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers who were displaced by the insurgency.
Governor Zulum revealed that a litre of petrol, which currently sells for between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri, will be offered to farmers at a subsidized rate of N600. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by farmers in areas that have suffered extensive economic and infrastructural damage due to years of conflict.
The governor emphasized that a similar initiative launched in Damasak last year had significantly improved food production and enhanced livelihoods. He stated, “One of the major challenges facing farming communities here regarding irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel. Therefore, I want to announce that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to the farmers at a subsidized rate.”
In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum also distributed vital farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertilizer, 1,000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps. Other materials distributed included 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds.
Furthermore, the governor noted that his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for irrigation farmers and announced the approval for the construction of an additional 250. During his visit to Darajama and Goniri villages, Zulum expressed satisfaction with the quality of ongoing reconstruction projects but reiterated that his administration would not tolerate any sabotage of its resettlement efforts.
He also expressed gratitude to the federal government for its continued support in the reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by the insurgency.
