Niger Delta
Ex-Commissioner Urges Review Of Agric Loan Scheme
A former Commissioner for Land, Survey and Urban Development in Delta, Mr Raymos Guanah, has called for a review of various Federal Government agricultural loan scheme for farmers.
Guanah told newsmen in Asaba that there was the need for the procedure for accessing the loans to be revisited.
“Presently, not all banks have desks for agricultural matters that handle farmers’ issues. Such a situation has made it cumbersome for farmers to get information and make enquiries about agricultural loan schemes,’’ he said.
Guanah urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that all banks in the country established agricultural desks so that farmers would have easy and prompt access to government’s loan facilities.
He decried the situation on ground whereby it takes farmers more than six months to process loans.
“It is not good where a farmer will apply for loan and, more than six months after his facilities had been inspected by relevant authorities managing the scheme, the farmer will still not be able to access the loan.
“Presently, there are many farmers who applied for various forms of agricultural loans more than one year ago and have not been granted the facility up till now,” Guanah who is currently chairman of Raymos Guanah Farm, said.
He then urged government to make it possible for farmers to obtain loans meant for them if food security must be attained in the country.
“The loans must be given to them shortly before the rains, every year,’’ the former commissioner said.
He explained that this would enable the farmers to put their farms in order in terms of cultivation, planting and application of necessary farm produce-enhancing chemicals like fertilisers.
Guanah also urged government to devise another method of disbursement by the banks.
“We need another way of disbursing the money from the agricultural loan, rather than letting the banks hold on to it and give it out when they like and to whom they like.
“For God’s sake, these funds are from the government and do not belong to the banks.
“This idea of releasing funds for agricultural loans every year, and the banks holding on to the funds without allowing farmers to access them is wrong,’’ he said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.