A’Ibom unveils free food scheme, interest-free loans for traders

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, Tuesday, unveiled a food security programme for all the vulnerable in the state.

He also announced a N1.5bn interest-free loan scheme for all traders in the state with N500m earmarked for traders in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.

Speaking while launching the programme at the Itam Market, Itam, in the Itu Local Government Area, the governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of the downtrodden, adding that he will continue to develop policies geared towards uplifting the poor from a state of despair.

He said the traders’ credit facilities will be made available to the traders through the state-owned Ibom Fadama Micro Finance Bank and urged the traders to open accounts in the bank.

The governor said, “I hear that it is because market people get loans from places with high interest, and they are unable to pay back the loan and interest, that makes the prices of things high in the market.

“We are releasing to each senatorial district market an interest-free loan of N500m per senatorial district.

“Every money will be paid into the Ibom FADAMA Micro Finance Bank. So if you do not have an account with the bank, each business person should open an account with them.

“This is for everyone. There’s no such thing as portfolio marketer. The people must have their stalls in the market working with the SAs and Market Union.”

This, he said, will enable effective monitoring and implementation of the various schemes instituted by his administration for traders in the state.

The governor said the Bulk Purchase Agency, the anchor vehicle of the scheme, which was recently inaugurated in the state, was meant to work towards crashing and stabilising the price of food in the state.

Speaking further on the scheme, the governor charged his aides to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.

Eno announced plans to set up an agriculture committee to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programme across the state.

He added, “Let no one make any mistake that these vouchers can be replicated.

“You will not be able to fake this one because these vouchers are printed by the Nigeria Printing and Minting Company and if we catch you, it is an offence.

“So when they give you the voucher then they will give you the food. Garri will be 5kg, rice 5kg, and beans 5kg.

“There is no guarantee that one person will have more than one voucher. So, whatever voucher you have, take it to the market and a scale will be used by the agent at the redemption centre to measure the food to you.

“For those who want to be part of the scheme, it is a business, and all measurements must be done with scales and not cups. If you do not have a scale, you are not qualified.”

The governor warned his aides drawn from all the 368 wards to ensure that only people who are in the social registers are given the food vouchers.

He also announced that each personal aide has been given a mobile computer tablet to ensure the social registers are meticulously used to execute the programme.

The governor, however, insisted that “what is important is that we must have a way of sustaining this programme; all of us will go back to the farm.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Bulk Purchase Agency, Dr. Dan Akpan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Traders Matters, Mr Idorenyin Raphael and representative of traders, Godwin Ebong- President of Itam Traders Union and Madam Magdalene Udom, State Woman Leader of the trader‘s union, appreciated the Governor for embarking on the scheme and pledged their resolve to ensure they worked hard for the success of the food intervention programme.