The Kebbi coordinator of the KB-CARES programme, Rakayya Muhammad-Bawa, says over 6,000 farmers have so far benefitted from the N2.4 billion federal government agricultural programme to boost food security in the state.

Ms Muhammad-Bawa made this known at the disbursement of social transfer and livelihood grants to beneficiaries in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas in Aliero.

“In order to assist our farmers and boost food production, N2.4 billion has been spent in the purchase of fertiliser for 6,000 farmers across the state under the programme.

“Portable drinking water has been provided under the programme in Arewa, Augie, Sakaba, Zuru, Danko/ Wasagu, Maiyama, and Suru LGAs.

“Also, 13 classrooms each were constructed for primary school pupils in Ngaski, Yauri, Arewa, Augie, and Kalgo LGAs, among others,” she said.

Ms Muhammad-Bawa commended Governor Atiku Bagudu for injecting an additional N3 billion to the $20 million from the World Bank for the COVID-19 action recovery and the economic stimulus package.

“With the unveiling of the disbursement of social transfer and livelihood grants in Arewa LGA on November 17 by Governor Bagudu, over 2,000 beneficiaries received their money through the banks.

“Other components of the programme include the provision of basic amenities such as water, infrastructure development, construction of health facilities, and provision of drugs.

“The rests are renovation and construction of open markets as well as provision of fertilizer and farming inputs to farmers to boost food production,” she said.

The coordinator urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money, particularly those engaged in business ventures.

Earlier, the chairman of Jega LGA, Murtala Musa-Habib, commended Mr Bagudu for promoting the welfare of people in the state.

He said the ruling APC had lived up to its promises by implementing various programmes targeting the state’s people.

“In my local government alone, Gov. Bagudu, during the last Ramadan, assisted over 17,468 women with cash to improve their livelihoods,” he said.

He appealed to women and youths to reciprocate the governor’s kind gesture by giving massive votes to APC in the 2023 elections.

(NAN)