Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced plans by his administration to tackle the challenge of increasing cost of fuel being faced by farmers engaged in irrigation farming in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency in the state with 50 per cent fuel subsidy.
Zulum, who announced this on Friday evening in Bama noted that a litre of petrol currently being sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be sold to the irrigation farmers at the cost of N600.
“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 subsidised rate.
“A litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in’shAllah, henceforth for irrigation farmers, this season, a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600.
“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,” he said.
Zulum also distributed farm inputs, including 2000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps to farmers during his visit.
The Borno governor said the initiative was aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict.
Zulum emphasised that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year had significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.
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.
Speaking further at the occasion, Zulum noted that his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for use by irrigation farmers while also announcing the approval for the construction of an additional 250.
He also also visited Darajama and Goniri villages under Bama Local Government to assess the ongoing reconstruction work.
While expressing his satisfaction with the quality of the project, the Governor reiterated that his administration would not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.
He expressed gratitude to the federal government for the tremendous support of his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.
