Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a petrol subsidy initiative aimed at supporting farmers in communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. The announcement was made on Friday in Bama town during the flag-off of farm input distribution to over 5,000 farmers who were previously displaced by the insurgents.
Under the initiative, farmers will purchase petrol at a subsidized rate of N600 per litre, significantly lower than the prevailing market price of N1,000 to N1,200 in Maiduguri. Governor Zulum explained that the subsidy is intended to ease financial burdens on farmers and enhance food production in areas devastated by years of conflict.
“One of the major challenges facing farming communities here is the increasing cost of fuel. To address this, the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to farmers at a subsidized rate. This initiative will support irrigation farmers this season,” Zulum said.
The governor cited the success of a similar program implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year, which reportedly boosted food production and improved livelihoods.
In addition to the fuel subsidy, Zulum distributed a range of farm inputs to aid irrigation farming. These included 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertilizer, 1,000 water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, 380 solar water pumps, and 800 rolls of flexible hoses. Other materials included 1,000 units of sprayers, pesticides, seeds, and 100 additional tube wells to complement the over 100 already constructed for irrigation purposes.
Governor Zulum also visited Darajama and Goniri villages in Bama Local Government Area to inspect ongoing reconstruction projects. He expressed satisfaction with the progress but warned against any attempts to undermine the resettlement efforts.
The governor thanked the federal government for its support in rebuilding and resettling communities affected by the insurgency.
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