As the world celebrates World Food Day, the Action Congress of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter has called on the State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to explain what has become of the Federal Government N2b Agric Loan to the State government since 2009.
The party in a Statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam made this demand in Port Harcourt while addressing journalists to mark this year’s World Food Day.
According to ACN, the Federal Government in 2009 disbursed N2b to Rivers State government as agricultural loan intervention fund for farmers in the State.
Farmers in State according to the party, were subjected to unnecessary filing of all manner of forms and other forms of documentations in 2010, through the ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)but up till now, nothing has been heard of the loan facility.
The ACN regretted that the money may have been diverted to prosecute myriad of cases hanging on the neck of the present administration, and political activities of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The party also wants to know the whereabouts of several fishing trawlers purchased by the administration of Sir Celestine Omehia in 2007.
ACN argued further that under Governor Amaechi administration, agriculture has been neglected, adding that the State cannot boast of an egg in the market today harvested from Rivers State Government Farm.
The party describes as sham agricultural programes of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), stressing that the RSSDA only gives out money to political allies of Gov. Amaechi in the name of boosting agriculture, leaving the peasant farmers who have need for such assistance to their destiny.
The party challenged the Amaechi administration to release the N2b federal government agricultural loan to farmers in the State, revamp the Rivers State Agricultural Development Program (ADP) and Government Demonstration farms lying waste across the state and declare an emergency in the agricultural sector.
“Government should be honest on issues relating to agriculture now that flood is ravaging the State, which resultant effect must be food scarcity and should stop playing politics with it”, ACN concluded.
Signed:
Jerry Needam, JP
Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Rivers State.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
