The Chairman, Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Comrade Mohammed Abubakar Jibo, on Wednesday, commended the Federal Government and the state governor, Senator Bala Abdul Mohammed, for their unrelentless efforts in boosting agricultural activities in the country as well as the state to ensure food sufficiency.
Jibo gave the commendation while distributing fertilisers to a total of 1,200 farmers drawn from across the 13 wards of the local government area at the council secretariat in Dass, noting that government’s efforts in the agricultural sector are key to providing food for the people.
The newly-inaugurated chairman, who won last Saturday’s chairmanship election in the state, informed the gathering, which included the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Othman Bilyaminu Usman, that Governor Mohammed graciously approved two trucks of NPK and SPP fertilizers from the 70 trucks released for the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the local government area.
The fertilizers, according to him, were given out to the beneficiaries free of charge, adding that this was meant to cushion the harsh economic situation in the country on the farmers to motivate them to farm.
Jibo then commended the governor for buying tractors and other farm implements for distribution to farmers across the state with a view to enhancing farming activities to ensure food security in the state as well as complement Federal Government’s efforts in enhancing agricultural development in the country.
According to the council boss, “We must commend His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Kauran Bauchi, for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring food sufficiency and security in Bauchi State.
“The fertilizers being distributed today (yesterday) are those approved by the governor for Dass Local Government from those given to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria to boost agriculture in our area.
“We equally express our gratitude to the Federal Government for deeming it fit to give out these fertilizers to our farmers. This gesture will go a long way in assisting our farmers in their efforts at tilling the soil to feed the people of our local government area.”
While warning the beneficiaries not to sell the fertilizers distributed to them free of charge but to make judicious use of the item, Jibo assured that his administration would not only encourage agriculture but also work hard to ensure food sufficiency and security in the area.
He challenged people of the area to go back to the farms and cultivate not only food crops but also economic crops, saying that the area is noted for rice cultivation, which must be sustained for the betterment of all.
Dignitaries present at the distribution event included the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Mohammed on Special Duties, village heads across the local government area, religious and political leaders in the area, council secretary, and councillors, amongst others.
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