Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum had on Tuesday, July 4, made available 80 vehicles to assuage the increased cost of transportation for farmers caused by the withdrawal of subsidy.
According to a statement released by Mallam Isa Gusua, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, the vehicles constituted 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to transport farmers to their respective farms for free.
The 50 luxurious buses will be issued from the fleet of the Borno Express Corporation, while the 30 pick-up vans will be hired by the Borno state government.
The statement had read partly:
“The removal of fuel subsidies which would undoubtedly have long-term benefit had also tremendously increased the cost of transportation.
To this effect, the Borno State Government has decided to provide 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to transport farmers to their farmlands during this rainy season.”
The governor had additionally, addressed farmers along Maiduguri – Damboa road, enjoining them to liaise with the military and other security agencies deployed along the road to safeguard them.
Lastly, the Governor through Gusua had conveyed his gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their tireless efforts towards protecting the people.
Some state governments have been seen working towards providing succour to their people since the fuel subsidy removal was announced in May. One cannot help but wonder what measures the federal government is putting in place to mitigate the brutal economic situation in the country. Rather than make things easier for its citizens, ‘harsh’ and ‘dubious’ bills are instead being signed by President Bola Tinubu.
All these leads one to wonder if Tinubu really has the interest of his people at heart.
