Yobe State Government Approves N73.3 Billion for Key Sectors
The Yobe State Executive Council has approved a total of N73.3 billion for various projects, including farm inputs, infrastructure development, and housing schemes. The approval was announced after the council's meeting chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Commissioner for Information, Abdullahi Bego, the largest chunk of the fund, N50 billion, is allocated for the procurement of farm inputs under the Yobe Agricultural Transformation Programme. This initiative aims to boost food production and ensure food security in the state.
Breakdown of the Approved Funds
The council also approved N15 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state. An additional N8.3 billion has been set aside for the construction of 1,000 housing units in Damaturu, the state capital, and other major towns.
Bego stated, “The approval of these funds is part of the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the people through strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and housing.”
Expected Impact on Agriculture and Economy
The N50 billion for farm inputs is expected to cover the provision of fertilizers, improved seeds, and agrochemicals for farmers across the 17 local government areas of the state. The government plans to distribute these inputs to smallholder farmers at subsidized rates to enhance crop yields.
This move is anticipated to create jobs, reduce poverty, and stimulate economic growth in the state, which has been affected by insurgency in recent years.
Infrastructure and Housing Development
The N15 billion road projects will focus on linking rural communities to urban centers, facilitating the movement of goods and services. Meanwhile, the housing project aims to address the housing deficit in the state, providing affordable homes for civil servants and low-income earners.
The council also approved the sum of N500 million for the completion of the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, which will improve healthcare delivery in the region.
