News in brief: Borno state government is providing 80 luxury buses and vans to farmers to alleviate transportation costs caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. The state’s economy has been heavily impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency, leading to food insecurity despite relatively lower food prices due to extreme poverty.
Borno state is supplying 80 luxury buses and vans to farmers in a bid to reduce the pressure caused by high cost of transportation due to fuel subsidy removal.
According to news reports, the Borno Express Corporation fleet will provide the vehicles, which includes 50 luxury buses and 30 pick-up vans.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said the current hardship brought on citizens in the country as a result of the fuel subsidy removal is only temporary and there are long-term benefits associated with the policy.
He admonished the farmers in the state to cooperate with law enforcement authorities who he assured were there for their protection and safety. The governor expressed gratitude to the military for their sacrifices in protecting the people which is now enabling farming activities across the state.
The state’s economy relied heavily on livestock and crops prior to the Boko Haram insurgency while the capital city of Maiduguri was a major regional trade and service center. However, years of insurgency in the state has affected development and forced farmers from rural areas to abandon their farmlands over fears of unabating violent attacks.
The agricultural sector of the state, and its overall economy, has suffered greatly leading many people to experience acute food insecurity. In fact, a 2023 report showed that it has the most people living in food crisis situation in Nigeria despite food being cheaper there because of extreme poverty.
