Borno Distributes Food to 52,500 families, Urges Return to Farm

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has resolved to maintain palliatives distribution to the people of the state as long as economic hardships persist.He, however, warned the people of the state to engage in farming to grow their own food with the gradual return of peace and security to the state.Zulum said the government could not maintain such distribution when the people can cater for themselves.

The governor spoke in Biu on  Sunday,  while supervising the distribution of food aid to over 52,500 families in seven local government areas of Southern Borno Senatorial zone to alleviate the hardship caused by inflation and the current economic problems bedeviling the country.

The benefiting local governments include Biu, Shani, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Hawul.“We will not relent in distributing these palliatives as long as the economic hardships persist,” he said, warning however, “as peace and security gradually return people should strive to cultivate their farms to grow their food as government cannot sustain the palliatives distribution without any hardship.”

Zulum said the Biu distribution was in continuation of the state government’s efforts at providing food and non-food items to the underprivileged in society

“We have not consistently given food items to people in southern Borno because they are not deeply affected by the insurgency,” the governor recalled, saying, “However, due to the current hike in food prices, the government has decided to come in and support the people with food aid.”

Each benefiting family collected 25kg bag of rice and 25kg bag of maize. Zulum also distributed over N100m to 2,000 youth and women to support them in cultivating their farmlands.

“In addition to the food distribution, we are giving out N100m grant to 2,000 beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000,” he said, explaining, “This grant is for them to use in cultivating their farmlands,” expressing the hope the money would help them cultivate their farms. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, who hails from Biu, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the food gesture and grant provided by the governor.

Source: Punch