By Usman Abubakar, Maiduguri
The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, launched the distribution of food items to 57,647 households in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area to alleviate hardship during the lean season.
Gamboru Ngala and Kala Balge remain the only local government areas where routine palliative distributions continue due to residents’ inability to engage fully in farming activities.
Governor Zulum at an event early this year, announced a 90% reduction in palliative distribution to victims of Boko Haram insurgency, emphasising empowerment and self-reliance while redirecting government resources towards long-term development programmes.
Represented by the Director-General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting Gamboru Ngala residents in resuming farming as a sustainable means of livelihood.
“Our decision to halt palliative distributions in most local government areas was informed by last year’s bumper harvest. However, due to the peculiar challenges in Gamboru Ngala and Kala Balge, we will continue providing aid to cushion hardship,” Zulum stated.
“This intervention is temporary. We are collaborating with security agencies to ensure residents return to farming, as agriculture remains key to economic empowerment and livelihood,” he added.
The governor urged beneficiaries to continue praying for lasting peace in Borno State and the country, as well as for a bountiful harvest this cropping season.
Each of the 57,647 households will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of maize across six distribution centres; they are: Ngala Town, GG Gamboru, Gamboru Ajari, Arabic Camp, International Camp, and Kasuwan Shanu.
