A Zaria-based large scale farmer, Alhaji Isyaku Usman has alleged that those entrusted with the federal government Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) for farmers across the country are sabotaging the effort of the government. According to him, some of off – takers of the federal government and the Central Bank (FGN/CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme per hectare for farmers are said to have allegedly diverted all the farm inputs and Agricultural Loan Fund for their own use.
Addressing the press in Kaduna during the week, Alhaj Isyaku alleged that Tukunyar Gwari Seed Nigeria Limited based in Zaira has constantly been involved in the shady deals of diverting farm inputs, seeds, fertilizer, chemicals and cash which the federal government approved for farmers in connivance with officials of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) in Kaduna.
In a petition letter to the Managing Director Bank of Agriculture (BoA) in Kaduna dated 30th May, 2017, which has not been replied by the Bank Management, Alhaji Usman said as one of the beneficiaries of the FGN/ CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme in Zaria who applied for loan and other inputs to farm five hectares of land, he has got nothing yet.
He said on the 14th of November, 2016 the Bank of Agriculture Zaria Branch only disbursed One Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand Naira and 25 bags of fertilizers to farmers to farm within one month and repay back with farm products.
He alleged that the actions of the officials contravened the intention of the government and the programme and in an attempt to frustrate the programme connived with the off – takers, adding that all “our farm input nand the balance of cashing supposed to be distributed or disbursed were diverted to unknown places,” he further alleged. Alhaji Isyaku Usman said when he protested the off -takers company Tukunyar Gwari Seed Nigeria Limited filed a criminal case against him on 18th May, 2017 at a Chief Magistrate Court Fada in Zaria Case No: Zaira/10/2011 accusing him of criminal breach of trust and cheating which the company allegedly abandoned after the first day of mentioning of the case.
When contacted on phone, the chairman Tukunyar Gwari Seed Nigeria Limited, Hakimi Nuhu Lawal Umar denied all the allegations, saying that some of the farmers who benefited from the programme through his company have defaulted in payment prompting the company to drag them to court. BOA’s Managing Director, Dr. Kabir Mohammed Adamu could not be reached and the public relation officer of the Bank, Mr. Remi told our reporter on phone that he was in a meeting when called to clarify the allegations and neither did he reply to a message sent to his phone.
