The Kebbi State Government says it has expended over N21 billion to purchase and distribute palliatives, farm inputs and disbursement of financial support to its people to improve their livelihood.
The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmad-BK, made this known while briefing Journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.
He said, “The state government has remained steadfast to the provision of essential intervention to enhance food security, implement policies to empower individuals, support farmers and provide free sustenance to the populace.”
On menace of migratory birds, Ahmad-BK said the state government had sprayed more than 4,000 litres of chemicals and operated many flight hours to safeguard agricultural yields from pests.
He said the government had also distributed fertilisers worth N2.6 billion to framers free of charge to boost productivity and enhance national food security.
“Furthermore, N8.5 billion was spent on procurement of solar powered water pumps, pumps conversion kits, power tillers and motorised sprayers to support farmers and reduce operational costs.
“All these are geared towards improving agricultural productivity and sustainability,” he noted.
Ahmad-BK added that this administration had purchased hundreds of truckload of grains worth billions of Naira, adding that over 200 truckloads were procured and distributed free to people throughout the state for Ramadan fast.
The commissioner said he was unamused about the recent reaction of the opposition on the palliative looting incident as well as the resignation of the Chief Imam of the oldest Jumu’at Mosque in Birnin Kebbi.
“The comments by the opposition were unwarranted and uncalled for. However, there is no doubt, it was an attempt to gain cheap political relevance,” the commissioner said.
