The Ogun State House of Assembly has launched an investigation into allegations of unauthorized deductions from the savings of farmers under the now-defunct Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
The Assembly’s Committee on Agriculture has invited key stakeholders, including officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Wema Bank, to address the concerns raised by affected beneficiaries.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Waliu Owode, who issued the summons, emphasized that all invited parties must appear before the lawmakers on Thursday, April 10, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
“Farmers who participated in this laudable federal government programme should not be shortchanged. The House is committed to ensuring transparency and justice,” he stated.
Among those summoned are Mrs. Taiwo Ayansanwo, a former Programme Manager of OGADEP; Mr. Simeon Alfa, Head of Agric Finance at Wema Bank; representatives from CBN’s Development Finance Office; Mr. Tunde Towolawi, Head of Rural Institution Development at OGADEP; the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association; and NAMEL, the programme’s service provider.
Additionally, three representatives from each local government in Ogun State who claim to have suffered deductions will be in attendance.
The Assembly has also directed OGADEP to submit a full list of all beneficiaries and victims of the programme. “We need transparency in this matter. If funds were wrongly withdrawn, they must be returned,” Owode added.
In response, Mr. Towolawi of OGADEP revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had recently intervened, holding a tripartite meeting with CBN and Wema Bank officials.
“Wema Bank has already promised to refund the alleged deductions,” he disclosed.
