Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, yesterday called on politicians and government officials in the state not to divert the state's subsidized fertilizers meant for peasant farmers.
The governor said anyone caught divert the product would face the full wrath of the law. Governor Shettima, who was represented by his deputy Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, at the 2013 Fertilizer Launch in Biu, the headquarters of Biu Local Government Area of the state, said this yesterday. The governor revealed that security agencies have been ordered to arrest any person found selling the subsidized product in the open market.
The governor stated that the fertilizer will be sold at the subsidized rate of N2,5000 NPK; N2,400 Urea and N2,000 SSP per bag, respectively. He therefore called on the state's Ministry of Agriculture and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure that the products get to farmers at the grassroots.
Governor Shettima said that to ensure effective distribution of the fertilizer, the state's government has set up a committee at the state, local government and wards levels to make sure that the products get to the actual farmers at the grassroots irrespective of party, religion and tribe.
Speaking on the security challenges confronting the state, Governor Stettima says, "It is important to note that despite the security challenges facing the state government, the security agencies are making concerted efforts to bring the situation under control. I therefore call on our people rally round the government through prayers and provision of useful information to restore peace to our dear state.
Earlier, commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Usman Zannah, said that the state's government, in partnership with Chad Basin Authority (CBDA), have cultivated about 6,500 hectares of land where wheat and vegetables were planted, with the cost of about N426 million.
National Mirror