Maiduguri, Nigeria – Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced plans to subsidise the cost of petrol at N600 per litre for farmers in communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.
The announcement was made on Friday evening in Bama town during the flag-off of farm input distribution to over 5,000 farmers previously displaced by the insurgents.
According to a statement by one of his media aides, Fatima Mohammed Abbas, the subsidised petrol, which typically sells for between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre in Maiduguri, is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the financial challenges faced by farmers.
Governor Zulum explained that the initiative is aimed at addressing the economic and infrastructural setbacks experienced by communities impacted by years of insurgency. He cited the success of a similar subsidy programme implemented last year in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, which reportedly boosted food production and improved livelihoods.
“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,” Zulum stated.
In addition to the fuel subsidy, the governor distributed a variety of farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 water pumps, and 620 gasoline pumps. Other materials provided included 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds.
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Zulum also highlighted his administration’s efforts to support irrigation farming, revealing that over 100 tube wells have been constructed, with approval granted for an additional 250.
Meanwhile, the governor visited Darajama and Goniri villages in Bama Local Government to assess ongoing reconstruction projects. Expressing satisfaction with the work, Zulum reiterated his commitment to ensuring the success of the state’s resettlement drive and warned against any attempts to sabotage the efforts.
He extended his gratitude to the Federal Government for its support in the reconstruction and resettlement of communities devastated by insurgency.