Fuel Subsidy: Zulum begins distribution of palliatives to 1.8m vulnerable

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has begun first phase distribution of palliatives targeting 1.8 million vulnerable persons in the state.

Speaking during the flag off on Tuesday at Muna IDPs camp in Maiduguri, Zulum said that Borno government started the initial distribution of palliative measures last month while scaling up the exercise to key into the presidential food emergency declaration.

He noted that, the distribution of the palliatives is inline with the recent declaration of emergency on food security by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which wishes to alleviate the suffering caused by fuel subsidy removal in the country.

According to Zulum, each eligible beneficiary receives N5,000 cash, a bag of rice, a bag of beans and one wrapper (for women).

“This administration will prioritize the welfare of the people to ensure that all measures are put in place to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens”.

The governor urged citizens to give maximum support to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the hardship resulting from the fuel subsidy removal is temporary.

“I want to urge the people of Borno State to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want you to understand that subsidy is not sustainable, we understand that people will feel the impact adversely at the initial stage, but in the long run, it will be beneficial to all of us”, Zulum said.

Meanwhile, the Governor also distributed 400 houses to vulnerable IDPs from five communities displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

The communities are Maibukarti, Jibrinti, Mainari Shuwa, Mainari Kanuri and Tilori.

The 400 houses are sited at a resettlement estate constructed by Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

During a brief ceremony, Governor Zulum also shared resettlement packages to the 400 households allotted the houses.

Each household got rice, maize grain, mats, wrapper and cash support.

Borno State has been at the centre of insurgency for more than a decade, but with recent victories by the Nigerian Military, Borno State Government was able to return more than one million displaced persons to the newly built resettlement houses and reconstructed communities.