HIGHLIGHTS
*Aides of former and present Bayelsa state governors are in heavy exchange of words
*The two aides, one Dr. John Idumange, former aide of former governor and present commissioner for agriculture, David Alagoa are the main actors in this renewed war
*The war of words is on alleged diversion or otherwise of a certain N3billion agric loan from the central bank of Nigeria
*While the aide of former governor is alleging diversion of funds, the present commissioner for agriculture disagree saying the money is being utilised judiciously
DETAILS
Aides to Governor Douye Diri and his predecessor, former Governor Seriake Dickson on Thursday traded words over the alleged mismanagement and diversion of N3billion Agricultural loan extended to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Dr. John Idumange, a former Aide to former Governor Seriake Dickson on Social Media and General Manager, Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, accused the present administration of alleged diversion of N3billion Agricultural loan extended to the state by the Central Bank.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief David Alagoa, dismissed the claim of alleged diversion, saying the loan is being directly supervised and disbursed by CBN through a commercial bank in partnership and not by the Bayelsa state government.
Alagoa, while dismissing the claim insisted that the loan is being diverted by the Bayelsa State Government stated that the loan is being directly supervised and disbursed by CBN through a commercial bank in partnership and not by the Bayelsa State Government.
He confirmed that all the benefitting farmers have been allocated lands and have received the sum of N50, 000.00 for land preparation for planting. According to him, “some of the farmers including fish farmers have received inputs through the system for their ponds. Seven thousand bags of fertilizers, cassava stems and other inputs are in various communities from the second tranche of the loan.”
“This loan disbursement is through the banks to individual accounts of the farmers. CBN took this approach probably because of previous experience across the country. The disbursement here in Bayelsa is so transparent. Idumange does not have any information about the loan. He should have asked questions. He can simply go to the Yenagoa branch of the CBN if he needs information and not to spread fake news”, Alagoa stated.
Dr. John Idumange, who made the claim on Tuesday, had come under serious criticism from supporters and loyalists of Governor Douye Diri over his fierce criticism of present administration, alleging that “Sometime in 2019, the immediate past administration applied to the Central Bank of Nigeria for a N3 billion Agricultural loan. The Governor Douye Diri administration received the loan. The first tranche of N1.5 billion was paid in March, 2020 to the Prosperity administration. The money was squandered”.
“The last tranche of the loan N1. 5 billion has been paid in February, 2021 via Access Bank Plc. A paltry sum of money is what the administration is using to clear some hectares of land. I am sure the Commissioner of Agriculture was not aware. Plans have been concluded by the government to give fifty thousand Naira (N50, 000) to selected farmers in Bayelsa State. It is too early for the Prosperity administration to defraud Bayelsans then shift the blame to the immediate past administration”
