Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced a significant subsidy on petrol for agricultural use. This development, unveiled during the flag-off of farm input distribution in Bama town, will directly support over 5,000 farmers previously displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Speaking on Friday evening in Bama, Zulum revealed that the state government would provide subsidized petrol at N600 per litre to local farmers a marked reduction from the prevailing market price of between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre in Maiduguri.
The subsidy is designed to assist farmers with the rising cost of fuel, particularly for irrigation purposes, and to foster sustainable farming practices in regions severely affected by the prolonged conflict.
The governor emphasized that this initiative builds on the success of a similar program introduced last year in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, which led to a notable increase in food production and improved economic stability for local farmers.
“Irrigation farming faces numerous challenges, particularly the high cost of fuel, to mitigate this, we are committed to procuring petroleum products and distributing them at a subsidized rate to our farmers.”
In addition to the fuel subsidy, Governor Zulum oversaw the distribution of crucial agricultural inputs. The support package included 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertilizer, 1,000 water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, and 800 rolls of flexible hose.
Furthermore, the state government distributed pesticides, seeds, and other essential farming tools aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector and improving productivity in the region.
Zulum also highlighted ongoing infrastructural initiatives, with over 100 tube wells already constructed for irrigation, and the approval for an additional 250 tube wells to be built.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to rebuild the agricultural base and ensure that farmers can access vital resources despite the challenges posed by insurgency.
Alongside these developments, Governor Zulum visited Darajama and Goniri villages in Bama Local Government Area to inspect the progress of reconstruction efforts in communities devastated by insurgent activity.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of the reconstruction work, reiterating his administration’s commitment to the resettlement of displaced persons and the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
The governor also affirmed that his administration would not tolerate any attempts to sabotage these crucial efforts.
In his remarks, Zulum extended his gratitude to the federal government for its continued support of Borno State’s reconstruction and resettlement initiatives, which have played a key role in the ongoing recovery of insurgency-affected communities.
