By Ismail Umar, Sokoto
BUA Cement Company has distributed agricultural inputs to about 300 farmers from resettled communities in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State to support dry-season farming and restore livelihoods.
The intervention forms part of the company’s Sustainable Livelihood Restoration Programme designed to assist farmers affected by the expansion of its operations in the area.
Flagging off the distribution at the company’s premises, the Managing Director BUA Cement, Engr. Yusuf Binji, said the beneficiaries were farmers whose farmlands were affected by the company’s operational expansion.
Binji represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs Services, Mr Sada Sulaiman, explained that the programme was designed to help the affected farmers sustain their farming activities and improve their yields.
The Managing Director charged the beneficiaries to use the gesture to improve their farming activities for sustainable food security in the country.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Health, Community Safety and Environment at BUA Cement, Engr. Ali Gumel, said the distribution marked the commencement of the agricultural support component of the livelihood restoration initiative.
Engr. Gumel noted that although replacement farmlands had been provided for the displaced farmers, the company decided to supply additional farming inputs to enhance their productivity.
According to him, the programme will be implemented in two batches, with 150 farmers receiving the inputs in the first phase and another 150 expected to benefit in the second phase.
He added that the farmers had earlier undergone classroom and field training to improve their agricultural skills ahead of the distribution of the inputs.
The Assistant Director further noted that BUA Cement has plans to extend the livelihood restoration initiative to other members of the affected communities through entrepreneurship training, skills acquisition and livestock support programmes.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Hon. Farouk Dundaye, expressed appreciation to the company on behalf of the benefiting farmers, describing the initiative as a meaningful investment in rural livelihoods and agricultural development.
He noted that partnerships between responsible private sector organisations and local communities remain essential for promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
He also drew commendation from community leaders and beneficiaries who described the initiative as a major steps that would boost agricultural and sustainable food security in the country.
In his remarks, the District Head of Arkilla, Alhaji Aliyu Hassanan, said the gesture reflected the company’s consistent commitment to the welfare of surrounding communities.
He assured their continued support and prayers for the progress of the company, while urging management to expand employment opportunities for qualified youths from host communities.