The Borno State Government has flagged off the distribution of Ramadan food baskets to about 300,000 poor and vulnerable families across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Flagging off the distribution at Ramat Square in Maiduguri, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said the initiative, undertaken in the spirit of Ramadan, was aimed at cushioning the economic hardship faced by residents.
According to the Governor, beneficiaries from 15 wards of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, six wards in Jere Local Government Area, as well as selected wards in Konduga and Mafa, are included in the first phase of the distribution.
Each beneficiary will receive a 25kg bag of rice, a 25kg bag of millet, a 10kg bag of sugar, the sum of 5000 Naira to ease transportation, and the government has engaged 1,600 tricycle operators to convey both beneficiaries and their food items to their homes free of charge.
Governor Zulum stated that governance is not only about infrastructure but also about restoring agriculture, revitalising the economy, and creating sustainable livelihoods, adding that government will continue to support citizens until families can afford meals with dignity.
Governor Zulum also commended former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, for donating 12,000 bags of 25kg rice to support families in the Spirit of Ramadan.
Chairman of the High-Powered Committee on Palliatives Distribution, Kaka Shehu Lawan, commended the timely intervention and assured residents of a transparent distribution process, warning against the resale of the items.
The Director, Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ali Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the governor for strengthening the agency’s operations, while beneficiaries lauded the administration for sustaining the annual Ramadan support programme.
RN
