Yobe State government has revealed intentions to introduce a six-month jail sentence as a deterrent for individuals who sell empowerment tools and items provided to them for skill development and job creation purposes.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Hon Idi Barde Gubana, disclosed this initiative during the distribution of dry season farming inputs to 1,500 beneficiaries by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Damaturu, the state capital.
Gubana emphasized that numerous empowerment packages, tools, and items have been disbursed by the state government, senators, and lawmakers to expedite post-insurgency recovery efforts and foster economic growth for stability and prosperity in the region.
Despite these efforts, many beneficiaries have been observed selling the allocated items instead of utilizing them as intended.
Gubana highlighted, “Thousands of youths from urban and rural areas have received support with skill-acquisition materials like Keke NAPEP, commercial pick-up tricycles (JEGA), irrigation farming tools, sewing machines, among others.”
He expressed concern over beneficiaries selling these items immediately after receiving them, undermining the objectives of the empowerment programs.
To combat this issue, the state government is formulating a new policy requiring beneficiaries to submit a form endorsed by their ward head, village head, district head, council chairman, and their own signature, pledging not to sell the items.
Gubana warned that failure to comply with this policy would lead to a six-month imprisonment for those found selling the empowerment tools, aiming to preserve the resources allocated for empowering the community and fostering sustainable development.
