Abuja: The Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has announced its collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police to recover loans from the Anchor Borrowers Programme distributed to its members.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, MAAN’s National President, Mr Bello Abubakar, detailed the initiative during a news conference following a three-day meeting held by the association in Abuja. The gathering was attended by state chairmen, zonal coordinators, national officers, and various stakeholders in the maize value chain, including researchers, input suppliers, farmers, and end users.
Abubakar stated that the news briefing aimed to update the public on the efforts to reclaim loans granted between 2018 and 2021 for maize production under the Anchor Borrowers Programme. He highlighted that the programme was intended as a revolving loan scheme, requiring full repayment from participating farmers. However, there has been a significant lack of compliance as many farmers perceived the loan as a “national cake.”
Due to the reluctance of participants to repay the loans, MAAN was compelled to issue multiple demand letters and seek the assistance of law enforcement and anti-graft agencies like the EFCC, DSS, and Nigeria Police, in alignment with Federal Government loan recovery policies. Abubakar expressed disappointment that some defaulters have taken legal action against MAAN and the supporting agencies, alleging human rights violations.
The association has also initiated court proceedings against some defaulters to recover the loans, with many cases still pending. Abubakar voiced concerns over the impact of insecurity on MAAN members, citing incidents of farms being destroyed and farmers being kidnapped or killed in several states, including Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina.
Furthermore, farmers in Kogi, Benue, and other states have been affected by flooding, while drought poses a threat in regions such as Oyo and Kwara. Abubakar called on the Federal Government to create a conducive environment for smallholder farmers to settle their outstanding loans and contribute to domestic and export production.
He urged the government to show leniency by either waiving or significantly reducing the financial obligations of the association under the CBN/ABP programme, considering the challenges hindering productive farming.