Zulum subsidises petrol at N600 for irrigation farmers
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has subsidised the cost of petrol to N600 per litre for irrigation farmers in areas affected by insecurity in the state.
Zulum announced the subsidy on Friday evening in Bama town when he distributed inputs to over 5,000 farmers hitherto displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.
According to the governor, the aim is to alleviate 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 has significantly increased food production and 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’shAllah, henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.
The governor said the Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to deliver the petroleum products to farmers in Bama.
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.
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.
According to him, 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, the governor has assessed the construction work for new settlements at Darajama and Goniri in Bama Local Government, one expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project.
He warned against sabotage of the resettlement drive, and appreciated federal government’s support of the state’s reconstruction and resettlement programme.
