Zulum subsidizes petrol to support farmers in Boko Haram-affected communities

In a bold move to alleviate the economic hardships faced by farmers in insurgency-ravaged areas, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced a significant petrol subsidy initiative.

Farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram will now purchase petrol at a reduced price of ₦600 per litre, down from the prevailing market rate of ₦1,000 to ₦1,200 in Maiduguri.

This announcement was made during the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 displaced farmers in Bama town on Friday evening, according to a statement released on Saturday by Abdulrahman Bundi, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media.

Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of supporting irrigation farming in areas grappling with the devastating impact of prolonged insurgency.

“One of the major challenges facing farming communities here is the escalating cost of fuel. To address this, the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to farmers at a subsidized rate of ₦600 per litre,” the governor stated.

He directed the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture to collaborate with the Brigade Commander to ensure prompt delivery of the subsidized fuel to farmers in Bama town.

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In addition to the fuel subsidy, the governor distributed an extensive array of farm inputs, signaling his administration’s commitment to revitalizing agriculture in the region. Items distributed include: 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertilizer; 1,000 water pumps; 620 gasoline pumps; 380 solar water pumps; 1,000 sprayers; 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hoses; 1,000 litres of pesticides and various seeds and other farming essentials

Governor Zulum’s intervention aims to rebuild the livelihoods of farmers who have endured years of economic and infrastructural devastation due to insurgency. The initiative is expected to enhance food production and promote economic recovery in Borno State.

This comprehensive support package underscores the state government’s efforts to restore normalcy and foster self-reliance among displaced populations. Observers have lauded the initiative as a pragmatic step toward long-term recovery and stability in the region.