From SA’ADATU MAINA, Damaturu
The Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni on Thursday in Damaturu launched 103 tractors and the sale of fertiliser at subsidised rates to farmers across the 17 local government areas of the state.
“We gather here today to launch the sale of these fertilizers and unveil a total of 103 tractors jointly procured by the state government and the 17 local government councils”, the governor said in his speech at the occasion.
Governor Buni added that due to the rising cost of fertilizer in the open market, the state government provided support so that farmers could have access to the product without much difficulty.
“Consequently, I have approved that the NPK fertilizers we procured be sold to farmers at the subsidised rate of N3,000.00 per bag.
“I have also directed that each local government be given an initial allocation of 3000 bags for the current farming season”, Buni added.
The state government has procured of 9000 metric tonnes of NPK fertilizer which is equivalent to 180,000 bags or 300 truckloads at the cost of N1.71 billion to be made available to farmers across the state
He noted that the gesture was in line with the adoption of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were targeted to be achieved by the year 2030.
“Four years ago, in 2015, member countries of the United Nations adopted a common blueprint for achieving peace and prosperity in the world.
“That blueprint resulted in the adoption of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) which are targeted to be achieved by the year 2030”, Buni said.
The governor also disclosed that the state and the 17 local governments of the state have jointly procured 103 tractors at the total cost of N2,271,150,000.00.
He directed that five tractors will be allocated to each of the 17 local government councils. In each local government, two tractors should be allocated to young farmers, two to elderly farmers and one to women farmers while the remaining 18 tractors out of the total of 103 should be managed by the State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).
He said “To be effective and valuable, the tractors are to be managed by the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries should remit proceeds from the use of the tractors directly to government coffers. All of the tractors should be used strictly and exclusively within the state.
“At my direction, the acting Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs will work together to produce enabling agreements and guidelines for how to use the tractors, and the penalties for any violations of the guidelines”.
The Program Manager, Yobe State Agricultural Development Programme (YOSADP), Alhaji Ali Kolo, earlier said YOSADP is the implementing arm of the state ministry of agricultural, saddled with the responsibility of providing extension services to Yobe farmers.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Resources, Alhaji Mangarima Lawan noted that in less than 100 days in office, Yobe government had invested over N3 billion to support agricultural production.
That, according to him, would increase farmers’ income, youth employment generation and provide food security to the state.
Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Speech at the Foundation Laying Ceremony for the Construction of 3600 Housing Units
Protocols
As-Salamu Alaikum,
We gather here today to push forward one of the key development goals of our administration, that is to provide safe and affordable housing to our people on a mass scale.
I want to thank Family Homes Funds Limited, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, for this partnership to provide 3600 housing units across the state.
As we all know, shelter is a basic human need. Everyone needs a roof over their heads, a place they can call home. Along with other important human needs such as clean water and sanitation, healthcare, security, etc., shelter plays an important role in achieving peace and prosperity. This is why the Yobe State Government is keen to ensure that on a continuous basis, our people have access to safe and affordable housing.
As we flag off the construction of these housing units today, I am pleased to note that the payment of compensation for land acquired for the execution of the project would be shouldered by Family Homes Funds Limited. The value of the land being acquired in each beneficiary local government is currently being assessed.
The 3600 houses to be built under this initiative would be spread across the state, with each of our 17 local government areas benefitting. The houses will be built in two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. Each three-bedroom unit will occupy 800 square meters of land while each two-bedroom unit will be allocated 600 square meters of land.
We also plan for schools, health facilities, and places of worship, police outposts, fire service stations, mini-markets and children’s playgrounds to be provided within the housing units.
I want to note that over the course of many years, previous administrations in the state have worked to deliver on the housing needs of our people. We will work even harder to ensure that more of our people can have access to houses at affordable rates.
I want to stress, however, that as we work to meet this goal, we would pursue a Yobe First policy, where we will strongly emphasise on local content and local resources to deliver on our development effort.
So, while I urge the Yobe State Housing and Property Development Corporation and the Ministry of Land and Housing to effectively supervise the contractors that will handle the project, I also urge the contractors and suppliers to ensure modest and competitive pricing so that all materials needed are sourced or supplied locally within the state. This way, our businesses will benefit and prosper, the local economy will be boosted, and more job opportunities will be created.
In conclusion, I want to assure our people once again that we will stay focused on taking every step necessary to improve your living conditions.
Let me now invite the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Family Homes Fund Limited to join me to flag-off the construction of the 3600 housing units in Damaturu and the other 16 local government areas of our state.
Thank you so much.
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