Edo State Concerned Farmers Association on Monday asked the Central Bank of Nigeria and anti-graft agencies to probe alleged mismanagement of N144 billion loan for agricpreneur project in the state.
Addressing newsmen after peaceful protest at Unity Fountain in Abuja, Deputy Coordinator of the farmers, Comrade Abdul Muhammad Oshiobugie, said the protest had to take place in Abuja after unsuccessful attempts to meet with the State Government on the matter. According to them, the CBN since 2017, advanced over ₦75 billion agricultural loans to Edo State Government for further disbursement to farmers, which didn’t happen.
“In 2019 we also participated in the Agripreneur programme in Agenegbode, Etsako East Local Government Area, where we planted and harvested rice. Since the harvest in October 2019, Edo State Government and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending took our rice for processing and sale in Abakaliki. However, we have waited in vain for 9 months, and till date, the proceeds from the sale of our rice have not been paid back to us,” Oshiobugie alleged.