Borno Gov, Zulum Flags Off Food Distribution To 100,000 Households In Maidugurii, Targets 200,000

The Borno state Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has flagged off the distribution food palliatives to 100,000 families inMaidugurii and it’s environs to reduced the effects of the hardship faced due food crisis.

Governor Babagana Zulum who personally supervised the distribution came out as early as 7’00 am said the exercise aimed at mitigating the hardship triggered by the rising costs of food items and other essential commodities.

Speaking in an interview with journalists at El-Kanemi Sport Center Maidugurii on Wednesday said ” we are here to witness the dustritiion of palliatives to100,000 vulnerable residents of Maiduguri and it’s environs.All the preceding food as distributions in the state were been carried out in the local government.”

“We are here today to flag off the distribution of food items to 100,000 heads of households from Maiduguri Metropolitan and its environs. Everyone in Nigeria is aware of the hardship people face regarding food shortages, Zulum said.

All the preceding food distribution exercises we had conducted were carried out in other local government areas. Today, because of the hardship faced by our people, we decided to come and flag off the exercise here for the people of Metropolitan and its environs. These communities have not benefited immensely compared to other places.”, he added.

He said the distribution targets the most vulnerable members of the society in order to reduce the burden of the high cost of living in the metropolis.

Zulum further said ” today’s distribution is targeting 50,,000 and before the Ramadan Fasting we are targeting 200,0000 families in the country..I commended the Federal Government for the support it has been rendering for the people of Borno state.. We received support from.NEMA, Customs and other federal agencies”.

He urged Borno residents to remain, as FG is doing everything to end this food crisis, stressing that Naira has started appreciating .

” It is no longer sustainable for the Borno state government and the Fedey Government to continue to provide palliatives. We need to invest heavily in commercial Agriculture.I urge resident of Maidugurii to embrace agriculture, the state government will assist them”, Zulum added..

The Governor said ” we have been distributing foods and non foods item since 2015 and as responsible and responsive government we will continue to do our best.In all our distributions government of Borno state has never dufrentiate between Muslims and christian, or partisan or tribal basus”.

Each of the 100,000 beneficiaries received one bag of 25kg rice and another bag of 25kg maize.

“We have flagged off the distribution of the palliative for 100,000 today; my intention is not to stop at 100,000 households; we believe before the end of Ramadan, we shall reach up to 200,000 across the state” Zulum said.

The governor urged the people, particularly those who do not have a means of livelihood, to engage in agriculture, while assuring them of all the needed supports, including free buses, agricultural inputs and cash support.

He said that FG has also rolled out an agricultural scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Borno state government will key into the programmes to boost irrigation and commercial farming.

While warning that his administration will not condone sabotage, he said ” some people are trying to instigate the public to cause disturbances. Let me warn the people of Borno: anybody who decides to take laws into his/her hands and politicise the food crisis we are currently facing will be dealt with ruthlessly,”.