By Nicholas Ogunde, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has advised the political class to steer clear of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan the state is expecting to boost agriculture.
The governor said though the loan would benefit only farmers, irrespective of party affiliation, politicians who have farms are also qualified to benefit.
A statement yesterday by Diri’s Acting Chief Press Secretary, Dan Alabrah, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources would verify farmers and their claims before disbursing the loan.
Diri said his target was to promote food sufficiency and diversification of the local economy through production to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He vowed not to play politics with the loan, stressing that stringent measures would be followed to ensure that only farmers benefitted from the facility.
The statement reads: “Our government will support businesses. We will provide opportunities for wealth and job creation for our people, particularly our women and youths, through skills acquisition and loans.
“We have been moving for the CBN agriculture loan. Very soon it will come to us. I’m sure in the next one week we will have it. Let me make it clear that the money is for farmers. I will not play politics with it. The only way you can benefit is for you to own a farm. I’m loyal will not qualify you for that loan.”
The governor urged the political parties to support his administration to sensitise the people on the need to embrace commerce and other production activities rather than rely on government appointments and handouts.
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