Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has revealed plans by the state government to subsidise petrol for farmers in communities impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The announcement was made in Bama town over the weekend, during the launch of farm input distribution to over 5,000 farmers previously displaced by insurgents.
The governor stated that while petrol currently sells for N1,000 to N1,200 per litre in Maiduguri, it will be made available to farmers at a reduced rate of N600 per litre. This initiative, he explained, aims to ease the financial strain on farmers in areas ravaged by economic and infrastructural destruction due to the insurgency.
Governor Zulum pointed out that a similar program implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year led to increased food production and improved livelihoods. He stated:
“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 governor added that the Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure timely delivery of the fuel to Bama farmers.
In addition to the petrol subsidy, farm inputs were distributed, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 units of water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, 800 rolls of two-inch flexible hoses, 1,000 litres of pesticides, and seeds.
Governor Zulum highlighted the construction of over 100 tube wells for irrigation farmers and announced approval for an additional 250 tube wells.
Meanwhile, the governor visited Darajama and Goniri villages in Bama Local Government Area to assess ongoing reconstruction work. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of the projects but reiterated his administration’s commitment to preventing sabotage of its resettlement efforts.
