Borno State Governor Increases Palliative Target to 400,000 Households with Assistance from Tinubu Grants
In a significant development, Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, has announced an upward adjustment of the targeted number of households benefiting from palliatives, rising from 300,000 to 400,000 households.
This decision, unveiled on Tuesday, is poised to extend crucial aid to a larger population during these trying times.
Each targeted household comprises six family members, thus amplifying the impact to a staggering 2.4 million individuals. This strategic move underscores the commitment of Governor Zulum to alleviate the plight of citizens grappling with various challenges.
Governor Zulum had initially declared a target of 300,000 households, encompassing a total of 1.8 million individuals, during the inauguration of a new phase of palliative distribution on August 1, 2023. However, this target was established prior to the official announcement of a N5 billion intervention for each state by the presidency.
Following the unveiling of the N5 billion intervention, Governor Zulum took a proactive step on Monday to revise his earlier target, now aiming to provide support to an additional 100,000 households, translating to 600,000 individuals in total. The distribution of palliatives to these vulnerable families commenced as part of the Presidential Initiative, which Governor Zulum explained to be a collaborative effort involving the Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Governments.
While addressing journalists at the former Bakasi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, the venue of the distribution exercise, Governor Zulum stated, “Today we are here to distribute palliatives to 100,000 vulnerable households under the Presidential Initiative. This is in addition to the 300,000 households that the Borno State Government had rolled out earlier this month.” He further emphasized that the N5 billion allocated by the federal government will be instrumental in reaching these additional vulnerable families.
A key insight into the funding structure of the initiative was provided by Governor Zulum. He indicated that the Federal Government is contributing 52% of the total funding, while the State and Local Governments are responsible for the remaining 48% of the amount.
This intensified distribution of palliatives has been accelerated since July in response to the mounting challenges caused by escalating fuel prices, aiming to alleviate the burden on citizens’ lives. Notably, the distribution has been conducted in various regions, including Gwoza, Kukawa, Jere, and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, benefiting thousands of families. Further extending the reach of this initiative, Umar Usman Kadafur, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, launched a similar distribution effort in Biu town on Monday.
Governor Zulum took the occasion to once again express his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his timely and invaluable support to State Governments. He emphasized that the long-term impact of President Tinubu’s policies and programs will ultimately benefit all Nigerians, viewing the removal of fuel subsidies as a necessary step towards broader economic reforms that will pave the way for sustainable development in the country.