Food security: Yobe gov warns against sabotage

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has said his government will deal decisively with saboteurs whose intent is to frustrate commitments towards food sufficiency and food security in the state.

The governor handed down the warning during the launching of an agricultural empowerment scheme.

More than ₦19 billion was expended to procure farming inputs with about six thousand beneficiaries being targeted in the 178 political wards across the 17 council areas of the state.

Items distributed include: 100 Zoom Lion Tractors; 10 IMC Double Cabin 4 wheel drive vehicles for use by extension service workers; 200 motor cycles to extension service workers to boost agricultural extension services; 300 sets of Ox-drawn ploughs and 5,349 small ruminants (goats).

Others are: 1,349 hand push planters; 889 hand-push plough machines; 590 hand-push tiller machines; 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps; improved assorted seeds and 72,000 bags of fertilizer, among others.

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Buni stressed that government would deal ruthlessly with any official, individual or group who tests its will by sabotaging its efforts, noting that his administration has instituted some measures to check abuse and sale of the machines by the beneficiaries to avoid sabotaging the lofty goals of the intended agricultural revolution in the state.

“I hereby direct the security agencies to arrest and impound tractors and other machines crossing the border lines of the state, while such saboteurs are made to face the full wrath of the law,” he ordered.

Buni assured that the Agricultural Development Programme would be carefully monitored to ensure efficiency in service, effective maintenance and accountability in proceeds accruing from the hire of the tractors.

“The tractors are to be in custody of the State Agricultural Development Programme at the Headquarters in Damaturu and the zonal offices in Buni Yadi, Geidam, Gashua, Nguru and Potiskum, to be hired out to individuals and group farmers,” he said.