Ebonyi House approves state’s loan request

EBONYI State House of Assembly has approved for the state executive the request to access from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N4.4 billion loan as bail out fund for salary areas, N2 billion for micro and medium scale enterprises development and N2 billion for rice production.

In her submission, the Minority Leader, Maria Ude Nwachi (PPA, Afikpo North West), urged the state government to ensure that the loan meant for the poor farmers are utilised as specified and not end up in private pockets.

“My mind skips when I hear about this loan for agriculture,” she said. “The reason is that most times the money ends up in private pockets and the people that need it will not access it.

“The people will still be poor and those who have access to it will plunder it. I am hoping that this present government will deviate from the norm by making sure that the real farmers benefit from the loan.”

However, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Augusta Ude, has promised that the committee would monitor the funds when procured to ensure they are not diverted.