By Editor
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N50 billion to assist five states engulfed by the menace of banditry in the Northwest.
He disclosed this during a condolence visit on the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama'ila Muhammad Mera in his palace at Argungu over the death of prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheik Abubakar Giro, who passed away on Wednesday.
The vice president assured that the president had a very good intention to assist the people of Northern Nigeria, especially the Northwest where armed banditry and kidnapping persisted.
Shettima listed the benefiting states to include; Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, added that because of politics Niger and Benue states were also coopted.
He, however, said that Kano and Jigawa States wee not directly affected as the five afore mentioned five states in terms of insecurity.
He assured that 1,000 houses would be constructed across the five states and very soon work would commence, adding the work would either start from Sokoto or Kebbi.
The VP said Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State promised to lend two Dandoreach which had the capacity to drill borehole up to 2000 meters, adding that they need only to buy other working tools to commence work.
He added that Zulum also plgded to provide five Centre P-board Irrigation equipment, "and I have already raised 2 million jumbo cashew seedlings in Borno and we shall start moving them to Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and other Northwestern states.
Shettima described Kebbi as rich state with deep loamy soil conducive for cultivating variety of crops, noting that people had no reason to be poor.
The VP said they had already discussed with the Kebbi Governor about $163 million loan from African Development Bank for the cultivation of wheat, assuring the loan would be given to any state that distinguish itself in that direction.
"It is not going to be like the Ancho-Borrower Scheme, interested states will be given fertilisers, seeds, solar powered water pumps and by Nov. 10 we shall start planting wheat. If Kebbi can provide 10,000 hectres of farmland we are ready to commence work.
"We have resolved to start with 50,000 hectres in Jigawa because the state has enough farmland to give and the state is relatively peaceful. The state government will train extension workers who will go round to ensure that our farmers understand modern farming,.
"This is because the area used to produce six tonnes of rice per hectre unlike other places producing only one tonne per hectre," he said.
Shettima therefore appealed to Kebbi people to support Gov. Nasir Idris and President Bola Tinubu in view of their people oriented policies and programmes that would change the lives of people for the better.
"APC administration in both state and federal levels have good intention for this country, they have series of plan on how to eradicate poverty amongst our people which can only be achieved with your support, cooperation and peaceful coexistence," he noted.
In his speech, Gov. Idris thanked the vice president for the condolence visit, assuring that all the developmental projects he had started was as a result of mentorship from the VP.
He recalled that N2.8 billion worth of fertilisers were procured and distributed free-of-charge to farmers, N9 billion was spent for road construction to beautify the state capital and N10 billion was also approved for the completion of State Ultra-modern Secretariat to bring all the state civil servant into one place.
Earlier, the Emir of Argungu appreciated the VP for the visit and described the journey as a religious one, praying that God Almighty would reward him abundantly.
The Royal father said what the governor disclosed was not supposed to come from his mouth because they were the direct beneficiaries and living witness who would testify to his achievement in just few months.
He assured that the governor had begun the leadership with a very sound foundation that would take the state to greater heights of development.
The emir listed infrustructure, education, health, empowerment, agriculture and security as some of the major areas of priority of Gov. Idris, assuring that all the areas were vividly witnessing transformation.
End
Signed:
Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
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