*distributes non food materials to 70,000 women in Wulgo, Gamboru, Ngala border towns
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Governor babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has disbursed over N225 million to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and residents of Gamboru, Ngala and Wulgo host community border towns of Ngala Local Government Area in the Northern part of the state .
He also distributed wrappers to over 70,000 women, along with N5,000 cash to each of the beneficiaries to cushion hardship, while pledging to distribute foodstuff to the men (husbands) before end of the month to alleviate their sufferings.
Zulum added that this is part of his agenda on food security, following inability of the rural farmers to cultivate their farmlands to feed themselves due to invasion of elephants into their farmlands that destroyed their plants and threats from Boko Haram terrorists on them whenever they go to farm.
Zulum stated this in Wulgo border town on Sunday, while speaking to journalists on the difficulties and challenges the returnee IDPs and host communities are facing, which he expressed great concerns over.
” As a government we can not fold our arms and watch our citizens suffer in this condition. As such, we have to be here in Gamboru Ngala to support and assist in the possible way and manner we can to ensure their safety, and livelihood with the emerging peace in the state.
“We are also mindful of the situation, we have to be visiting them to comfort and assist them with food and non food materials, to cushion their hardship and suffering, which is a great challenge we are facing. And thank God the federal government is also supporting us to ensure that their living condition improves.
“We also thank the military and Vigilante CJTF and hunters for their sacrifices and efforts in seeing that security is provided to lives and property of the citizens while on our part, we will do everything possible to ensure their safety and livelihood improves”, Zulum said.
Zulum also noted that the state government has however, in the past, experienced flood disaster in various communities which has destroyed many farmlands and crops, despite the destruction of farm crops by the invading elephants in these LGAs.
Zulum further explained that, “We are still facing the challenges of access to farmlands because many farmers here cannot access their farmlands due to recent flooding in many communities and the eleohants invasion.
“Not only that, there are thousands of elephants here and unfortunately, they are destroying farm crops in Kala Balge and Ngala local government areas of the state.
“That has necessitated the intention of the state government to come and distribute foods and other items to the residents.
“We shall continue to provide such support until after the next rainy season,” he assured.
Speaking on how to revive the commercial activities of the towns bordering Cameroon and Chad Republic, the governor also said that, “the state government had our based APCs for the police and vehicles for the military, police, NSCDC, CJTF and Vigilante hunters groups among others and efforts would be made to continue to provide adequate security to secure the roads as well as loans and cash support to the traders.
“Borno State government has procured Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the police with the view to protecting the communities. Many Boko Haram members have repented and that would go a long way in reviving and restoring our lost glory in the area of commerce and other activities.
“As you can see, we have built many houses in most of the border towns to encourage resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and we are now seeing the positive impact of the result,” Zulum said.
He added that food and non food items as well as farm implements and seedlings will continue to be provided to the IDPs and host communities to engage properly and effectively in farming and fishing, which are their major occupations in these LGAs of the state.
“We shall not relent in doing that as a government and responsibility on our side, which Insha Allah, we shall ensure it is done with the support of the security agencies who are doing well in providing us with security, protecting our lives and property.
“The military and other security agencies have provided an enabling environment and government will continue to provide adequate security for the protection of lives and property of our citizens,” Zulum said.
