Zulum: No cause for alarm over raising of Alau Dam

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has allayed the fear over the rising level of water at Alau Dam, noting that there is no cause of alarm.

There has been widespread fear of flood and anxiety among residents of Maiduguri following the recent downpour.

The governor made this known shortly after inspecting the ongoing reconstruction work at Alau Dam, near Maiduguri.

Zulum said that the widespread panic in Maiduguri was also a serious concern to his administration but insisted that there was no cause for alarm over any possible devastating flood due to overflow from Alau Dam.

He remarked that new channels have been opened up, and the water was running, saying the level of water in Alau Dam has dropped about 4 inches within the last few days, and the volume would continue to drop.

“As at now based on the engineering knowledge we are having, we concluded that there is no cause for alarm,” Zulum stated.

“However, nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, we are working and shall continue to monitor this programme. The contractor is doing a good job.

The governor, however, warned the residents in flood-prone areas from dumping refuse into the drainage systems in front of their houses and those who were in the habit of building on water ways to desist from doing so.

“Most importantly, I want to warn the people of this state to desist from building on water ways, and they should be very careful” he said.

The governor urged the residents to be law abiding, saying ” if you have drainage in front of your house, you have to make sure you clean it all the time.”

On reviewing the master plan, Zulum said that his administration was going to look at the whole master plan and see where distortions were being made with a view to rectify all abnormalities.

“But we must go back to the drawing board and then look at the master plan and ensure that all tributaries and all water ways shall be cleared so as to allow inflow of water to the main canal.

“We must enforce certain environmental standards, which is very painful but I believe we have no option,” Zulum said.

On the delay of the reconstruction of Alau Dam, the Governor said that the delay was due to some technical procedures, but assured the public that the contractors had resumed fully.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving N80 billion to execute the ongoing work at Alau Dam.
End

Governor Buni launches the 2025 mega agricultural empowerment program in Yobe.

By: Yahaya Wakili

In his efforts to enhance agriculture production, increasing food sufficiency and food security, as well as to improve the economy of the state. Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has launched another 2025 Mega Agricultural Empowerment Program at August 27 Stadium, Damaturu. Saying agriculture remains the main occupation of over 90 percent of the state’s population, who are either engaged in crop production, livestock agriculture, or both.

Adding that, this becomes necessary for the government to be more committed to developing the sector for our people to migrate from subsistence farming to mechanized agriculture.

Governor Buni further revealed that, last year, the state government unveiled a mega Agricultural Empowerment Program that was launched by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who was ably represented by the vice president, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON. Governor Buni appreciates His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, piloting the affairs of our great country at this very challenging moment, adding that the commitment of your administration to security is no doubt yielding the desired result, with our communities having access to their farmlands with increased agricultural productivity for economic growth.

“Last year, Yobe state government procured agricultural machines, including 100 tractors, 889 hand push planters, 599 hand push tiller machines, 4,202 solar powered irrigation machines, over 1,000 harvesters, 72,000 bags of fertilizer, ox -drawn ploughs, small ruminants and assorted improved seedlings among others and distributed to over 5,300 beneficiaries across the 178 political wards in the state, the intervention by the state government last year contributed tremendously to the increase in food production and economic empowerment of our people, therefore, the government found it expedient to intensify this intervention to provide more support for more people to benefit and expand production.”

“This year, the government procured 40 Massey Ferguson tractors, 1,961 power tillers, 1,250 hand-push planters, 553 multipurpose threshers, 3,410 solar water pumps, 830 fertilizer applicators, 4,500 bags of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer, 195 crop residue crushers, 495 crop residue choppers, 20,000 assorted improved seeds, assorted agrochemicals, 4,000 bunches of cassava stems, assorted certified seeds, 50 tricycles, and 30 motorcycles to be distributed to farmers across the state.”

“In line with our policy to promote agricultural development in the state, the governor directed that the machines, equipment, and other farm implements should be distributed free to deserving farmers and also directed a 50% subsidy on the sale of fertilizer to farmers, adding that this administration has carefully and systematically embarked on an all-inclusive, multi-sectorial approach to make our recovery program successful and beneficial to our people across the 17 local government areas.

He said his administration has prudently and judiciously managed the state resources to address the destruction caused by the protracted security challenge and other decays caused by aging, especially on structures predating the creation of the state. Adding that, the government has taken the bold and deliberate step to address the infrastructural challenges facing Damaturu after it became the capital of our dear state 34 years ago. This is to find solutions to the corresponding challenges of its growing size, increase in population, increase in the density of traffic flow, controlling the floods, and curbing the incessant menace of traffic accidents at the city center.

“I am proud to state with a very high sense of responsibility, humility, and satisfaction that our administration has over the years accorded great attention to all the critical sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare delivery, road construction, water supply, wealth creation, and employment generation, to improve the lives of our people,” Buni said.

Governor Buni launches the 2025 mega agricultural empowerment program in Yobe.

Governor Zulum flags off fertilizer sales, warns against diversion.

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor of Borno State Babagana Zulum has warned that anyone who diverts fertilizer will be prosecuted no matter how highly placed.

In his speech while flagging off the sales of fertilizer in the state recently, the governor asserted that no resident would be spared, “no matter how highly placed,” the repercussions of flouting his directive.

Zulum noted that he is aware of the “risks” associated with the diversion of the commodity, which is why he is emphasizing that any form of diversion of fertilizer in the state by anyone high or low in the state will be punished.

He called on the intelligence agencies to wake up to their responsibilities by ensuring that all culprits are arrested and prosecuted for daring to divert the commodity within or outside the state.

“Culprits shall be dealt with, specifically those who are not farmers but intend to use proxies to get the commodities for any form of usage.

“I hereby call on traditional and community leaders to be very vigilant during this distribution of the fertilizers, which should be given to only registered members. All farmers must register to partake in the sales, which will be done at 50 percent of the price.

“Let me add that this government will stop at nothing to empower farmers in the state to achieve all their potential, which is why it is only fertilizers that will be sold at 50 percent prices. Other implements would be given free to them.” Said Zulum.

It is a known fact that insurgents are in desperate need of fertilizers, especially urea, which is used to assist them in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used to cause havoc to both civilians and the military in the 15-year-old conflict that has plagued the Northeastern region of Nigeria.

Tackling restrictions over farmlands

The governor expressed dissatisfaction over the back-and-forth some residents have been having with security agencies over their ancestral farmlands, in which they have been restricted from farming.

“I want you to report anybody who stops you as farmers from farming anywhere in the state. Such decisions can only be given by the state security council and nobody else. Nobody can take such a decision without consulting us at the security council.

“As long as you have clearance from us, you are free to farm anywhere. Ensure you have the clearance, which I can assure you nobody can deny you as long as we have given you clearance,” said Zulum.

The governor maintained that his government was on course in going into private partnership with a private investor to maintain the continuous functionality of the state fertilizer plant, which has remained comatose for some time now.

Making his remarks as the Chair of the agricultural transformation committee, the secretary to the state government, Tijani Bukar, assured that they will work with the World Food Programme to ensure that the sector is moved from where it is now to where it should be in the nearest future.

He hinted that the governor is worried about the recovery by returnee farmers who have lost virtually everything to the tragedy of the 15-year insurgency, which is why he is doing all he can to make them achieve the concept of recovery, which should make them happy.

Counting the blessings of the recovery program, the SSG said that Monguno was a typical example of a council area that superseded its expectations beyond all imagination.

“We have been achieving results so far. Monguno alone generated over N50 billion from beans alone in 2024. And this occurs because of the complementarity from the government.

“The concepts of resilience, recovery, and seed capital are key factors that the government will continue with to ensure that all registered farmers will prosper in the business of food security.

“Let me assure you that nobody should express any fear of any source because as long as you are a conscious farmer, you will get what is due to you as support for being a farmer.” Said Alhaji Bukar.

Commissioner of Agriculture Bawa Musari stated that in spite of all the challenges farmers have experienced in the state, he has not lost hope for their future but believes in the greenery of the entire state before the end of the farming season.

He called on Governor Professor Zulum to do all he can in his power to revitalize the fertilizer plant, which is a vital asset in the green revolution of the entire state.

Governor Zulum flags off fertilizer sales, warns against diversion