Farmers , under the aegis of Edo State Concerned Farmers Association , have accused the state government of diverting a N 75 bn Central Bank of Nigeria loan facility meant to boost agriculture in the state .
The farmers, who held a rally at the Unity Fountain, Abuja , on Monday , later took their petition to the CBN and the World Bank offices .
Spokesperson for the group, Abdul Mohammed, said , “ In 2017 we participated in the Agripreneur programme in Sobe , Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State , where we planted and harvested maize .
“ However, since the harvest three years ago till date, we have yet to receive the proceeds from the sale of our maize by the Edo State Government and SARO Agro Sciences Limited.
“ In 2019 we also participated in Aganegbode , Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State , where we planted and harvested rice . Since the harvest in October 2019 , the Edo State Government and Nigeria Incentive -Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending took the rice for processing and sale in Abakaliki.
“ However, we have waited in vain for nine months and till date , the proceeds from the sale of our rice have not been paid back to us.”
In response, the state government in a statement titled , ‘Okumbo , Oshiomhole behind Abuja protests against Edo ’s agric programme, ’ signed by the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communications , Crusoe Osagie , dismissed the allegations.
He said , “ This is not different from other protests engineered by the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole and a Benin billionaire , Capt. Hosa Okunbo on the prodding of the candidate of the APC governorship , Osagie Ize -Iyamu , to use thugs in causing public disturbances . They are also making unfounded claims to distract the public .
“ It must be unequivocally stated that the Agripreneur programme is on course and has continued to serve the interest of genuine farmers in the state , for whom it was designed .
“ The allegations should be disregarded as they hold no water . The Central Bank of Nigeria and its subsidiary , the Nigeria Incentive -Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending have monitoring and evaluation mechanisms ingrained in their interventions to ensure probity and accountability .”



https://punchng.com/n75bn-loan-farmers-tackle-edo-govt-berates-oshiomhole-okunbo/

They've move from yam eaters to corn eaters. See them.

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