Borno to Subsidise Petrol for Farmers in Communities Affected by Insurgency at N600

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has stated that the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

Zulum made the announcement Friday in Bama town when he flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers hitherto displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

The governor said a litre of petrol, sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri, will be subsidised for the farmers at N600, adding that 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.

Zulum emphasised that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area of the state, last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.

He said: “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’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.”

In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps.

Other materials distributed by the governor included 380 units of solar water pumps, 1,000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of two-inch flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items.

He said 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.

Meanwhile, Zulum also visited Darajama and Goniri villages under Bama Local Government to assess the ongoing reconstruction work.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project but also reiterated that his administration will not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the tremendous support of his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement of communities affected by insurgency.