TWITTER/GOVBORNO
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has launched 80 buses, tricycles and pick-up vans for free transportation of residents in Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere Local Council.
According to him, the state government hired 30 pick-up vans for the ‘free and safe’ commuting of farmers to their farmlands. At the flag-off, yesterday, in Molai Community, the governor said: “The release of the 80 buses, pick-up vans and tricycles, was to reduce the high cost of living caused by the recent withdrawal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.”
He disclosed that 50 luxurious buses were released from the fleet of Borno Express Corporation, the state’s transport company.
“The 30 pick-up vans will be hired in launching today’s free transportation of our farmers to their farmlands within a radius of 10 kilometres from Maiduguri,” he noted.
Zulum, therefore, urged the farmers to cooperate with troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
“Today’s event was to support the farmers. You can see thousands of them gathered here in Molai for the free ride to various farmlands in the state.
“Due to the removal of fuel subsidy, despite its long-term economic benefit, the cost of transportation in the state has, however, increased by over 100 per cent. This made the administration to provide 80 buses and 30 pick-up vans in conveying farmers to their respective farmlands in this year’s cropping season,” he said.
While addressing thousands of farmers, he urged them to cooperate with the soldiers that would be escorting them to various farming communities.
The police and other security agencies, the governor added, are deployed on the roads to protect people, including farmers. He expressed gratitude to the military for sacrifices made to protect the people accessing farmlands across the state.
