The Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has announced that it is working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police to recover Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) loans owed by its members.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday after a three-day meeting in Abuja, MAAN’s National President, Mr Bello Abubakar, said the loans, provided between 2018 and 2021 for maize production, were part of a revolving credit scheme requiring full repayment.

“Unfortunately, there was a monumental disappointment, as most participants thought the loan was a national cake,” Abubakar stated.

He explained that the association had issued several demand letters to defaulters and sought support from anti-graft and security agencies in line with the Federal Government’s loan recovery policies. 

He added that some defaulters had even taken legal action against MAAN and its partners, alleging human rights violations.

According to Abubakar, MAAN has also taken some defaulters to court, with many pending cases.

The MAAN president lamented that insecurity and natural disasters had severely affected members’ productivity. 

Bandit attacks in Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Ondo, and Ekiti states had resulted in farm destruction, kidnappings, and killings. At the same time, flooding and drought had disrupted farming in several other states.

Abubakar appealed to the Federal Government to create a conducive environment for smallholder farmers to repay their debts and continue production. 

He called for either a waiver or a significant reduction of the outstanding loans, citing the numerous challenges facing farmers.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its ongoing efforts to ensure food security in the country.

Source: NAN