By Olamide Francis
The Gombe State Government has donated 36 water pumps to dry season farmers in the state to improve their livelihoods, especially those in rural communities.
This gesture by the state government was exhibited on Thursday.
Besides the water pumps, 26 motorcycles, six Hilux vehicles and one Toyota Hiace Bus were distributed under a partnership between the state government and the AfDB supported Inclusive Basic Services Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Project (IBSDLEIP) which is targeting women, youths and the vulnerable.
At the launch of the distribution of the machines, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe said it was part of government’s effort to boost food security and re-integrating farmers into the system having been neglected since the state signed the IBSDLEIP in 2016.
According to him, the distribution was made possible by the payment of counterpart funds by the state government to the project, whose impact on youths, women and the vulnerable motivated government to ensure its implementation.
“We are happy the youths, women and the vulnerable are involved. If our youths are not engaged, they may indulge in activities that can impede development in the state,” he said.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Mijinyawa Yahaya, said that vehicles and motorcycles would also be distributed for effective supervision of the implementation of IBSDLEIP.
Yahaya said that with the commencement of IBSDLEIP, the state would witness other developmental projects that would impact positively on the lives of rural dwellers.
Also, Mr Abdulraqib Sa’id, General Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), said that IBSDLEIP was an AfDB loan procured by the state government to address gaps in the provision of basic social services such as water, sanitation, health, education and livelihood. One of the beneficiaries, Malam Abdullahi Yawu, a dry season farmer of onions, pepper and wheat, in Dukku Local Government, appreciated the government for the gesture.
Yawu said the effort of the government would help boost food security and enhance the capacity of farmers to close the gaps between wet and dry season farming.