Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has disbursed N62.75 million to casual workers and elders residing in the Bolori Stores area of Maiduguri metropolis.
The residents of the state capital comprise 437 workers and 409 elders, including Ya Falmata Modu (not real name), 78 that had been living in Maiduguri for over seven decades.
“This will also build the resilience of citizens that had been affected in the 13-year Boko Haram insurgency in the state,” he said.
He noted that the casual workers, provide critical services of distributing the food and non-food items from the Stores to other parts of Nigerian and three neighbouring countries.
While disbursing the funds, he ordered that each of the 409 elders, is to collect N100, 000, while 437 casual workers, are to each receive N50, 000.
He, therefore, urged the elders and workers to use the cash for micro business outfits that could raise their incomes to improve their livelihoods.
“Their activities significantly contributed to the State’s local economy,” he said.
He further disclosed that many trucks arrive and depart from the Bolori Stores on daily basis in the distribution of food and non-food items to the teeming population in the Northeast.
The Sports and Youths Empowerment Commissioner, Saina Buba, who coordinated the disbursements funds, warned against the diversion of funds by the two vulnerable groups.
Responding, Ya Falmata said that this is the first time to receive N100. 000 from an elected and committed Governor of the people.
