Abia Anchor Borrowers Programme: CBN addresses fraud allegations
The head of CBN development finance office in Abia, Camilius Ogbuagu, has described as “unfounded,” allegations of misappropriation of funds for maize farmers under the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP).
Mr. Ogbuagu, addressing reporters in Umuahia on Monday said that the list of beneficiaries of its ABP on maize was usually provided by commodity associations at the national level and not Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) state offices.
He further said that upon the receipt of the list, the bank would proceed with the distribution of the inputs directly to the farmers.
He was reacting to a report in a local media station in Abia, where the state ADP was accused of complicity in the misappropriation of CBN fund for the programme.
Mr. Ogbuagu said, “The accusation of misappropriation and making of farmers’ list levelled against ADP is unfounded because the agency neither provides the inputs nor makes up the lists.”
He also said that neither the CBN nor ADPs had a hand in the choice of the banks being used by farmers for the disbursement of funds for the programme across the federation.
Mr. Ogbuagu said the choice of the banks was the exclusive right of the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Maize Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (MAGPAMAN).
He said: “CBN does not give cash to anybody under its ABP, neither does it give grants.
“The money we give is not a grant. It is purely a loan. What we give to farmers is not in cash but in kind.”
According to him, 3,132 famers, consisting of 2,041 MAGPAN and 1,091 MAN members were listed for the inputs during this year’s wet season.
He decried the challenges confronting the programme in Abia, saying, “Here, people want to be part of a programme they do not know how it works.”
In a separate reaction, the Abia ADP Programme Manager, Israel Amanze, said that ADP was working for the state and would not be deterred by such accusation.
Amanze said: “It is our mandate to ensure that farming in Abia is going on well.
“It is the core mandate of ADP to carry out extension work and develop agriculture in the state.
“Also, we will continue to play our role to ensure that the national headquarters does not stop extending its programmes to Abia farmers.”
NAN
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
FG launches justice system reform, prison decongestion drive
He said it will promote a justice system that is not only effective but also humane and inclusive.
States
Yobe commits to curbing immoral acts in Potiskum
He said the government considered the situation urgent and necessary for collective intervention.
States
Insecurity: Niger council profiles Okada riders
The chairman said there had been cases of criminals disguising themselves as Okada riders.
Hot news Home top
Akpabio admits INEC chair made partisan tweets, insists Amupitan as private citizen can support anybody
Mr Akpabio said, “And the man (Mr Amupitan) said, ‘it was manipulated,’ but nobody wants to hear. But for me, whether manipulated or not, he said ‘victory is sure.’
Lagos
ADC boasts strong Lagos structure, vows to dislodge APC
“There is no doubt APC will find its way out of government in 2027,” he said.
NationWide
56 inmates earn degrees from NOUN
The VC described the initiative as a deliberate policy focused on inclusion.
