By Sam Kayode
Governor of Borno state Babagana Zulum has warned that any one who diverts fertilizer would be prosecuted no matter how highly placed.
In his speech while flagging off the sales of fertilizer in the state recently, the Governor re asserted that no resident would be spared “no matter how highly placed” the repercussions of flouting his directive.
Zulum noted that he is aware of the “risks” associated with the diversion of the commodity which is why he is emphasizing that any form of diversion of fertilizer in the state by anyone high or low will be punished.
He called on the intelligence agencies to wake up to their responsibilities by ensuring that all culprits are arrested and prosecuted for daring to divert the commodity within or outside the state.
“Culprits shall be dealt with specifically those who are not farmers but intend to use proxies to get the commodities for any form of usage.
” I hereby call on traditional and community leaders to be very vigilant during this distribution of the fertilizers which should be given to only registered members. All farmers must register to partake in the sales which will be done at 50 percent of the price.
“Let me add that this government will stop at nothing to empower farmers in the state to achieve all their potentials which is why it is only fertilizers that would be sold at 50 percent prices. Other implements would be given free to them.” Zulum added.
It is a known fact that insurgents are in desperate need of fertilizers especially “urea” which is used to assist them in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used to cause havoc to both civilians and the military in the 15 year old conflict which has plagued the North Eastern region of Nigeria.
Intel personnel have equally been detailed to face the activities of farmers to ensure that the free pesticides and seeds that will be given to them will not get to the hands of the insurgents who equally farm within their captured territories.
Tackling restrictions over farmlands
The Governor expressed dissatisfaction over the back and fourth some residents have been having with security agencies over their ancestral farmlands in which they have been restricted from farming.
He urged real farmers to report anyone who does that to them.
“I want you to report anybody who stops you as farmers from farming anywhere in the state. Such decisions can only be given by the state security council and nobody else. Nobody can take such a decision without consulting us at the security council.
” As long as you have clearance from us, you are free to farm anywhere. Ensure you have the clearance which I can assure you nobody can deny you as long as we have given you clearance” said Zulum.
The Governor maintained that his government was on course in going into Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a private investor to maintain the continuous functionality of the state fertilizer blending plant which has remained comatose for sometime now.
Munguno Rakes N50billion for Borno
Making his remarks the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tijani Bukar in his capacity as the Chair of the Agricultural Transformation Committee (ATC), assured that his team will work with the world food program (WFP) to ensure that the sector is moved from where it is now to where it should be in the nearest future.
He hinted that the Governor is worried about the recovery by returnee farmers who have lost virtually everything to the tragedy of the 15 year insurgency which is why he is doing all he can to make them achieve the full concept of recovery which should make them happy.
Counting the blessings of the on going recovery program, the SSG said that Monguno was a typical example of a council area which superceded its expectations beyond all imagination.
” We have been achieving results so far. Monguno alone generated over N50 billion from beans alone in 2024. And this occurred because of the complementarity from the government.
” The concept of resilience, recovery and seed capital are key factors that the government will continue with to ensure that all registered farmers will prosper in the business of food security.
“Let me assure you that nobody should express any fear of any sort because as long as you are a conscious farmer you will get what is due to you as support for being a farmer.” Said Alhaji Bukar.
Commissioner of Agriculture, Bawa Musari stated that in spite of all the challenges farmers have experienced in the state, he has not lost hope for their future but believes in the greenery of the entire state before the end of the farming season.
He called on the Governor Professor Zulum to do all he can in his power to revitalize the fertilizer plant which is a vital asset in the green revolution of the entire state.
