CBN Disburses N174.48bn under Anchor Borrowers Programme, Says Official

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that it has so far
cumulatively disbursed N174.48 billion through 19 financial
institutions under its Anchor Borrowers Programme since 2015.

The Director, Corporate Communications Department of the bank,
Mr Isaac Okoroafor, stated this on Friday in Enugu at the on-going
Enugu International Trade Fair.

Okoroafor, who was represented by the Deputy Director of
department, Mrs Veronica Always, said that the programme had
supported 902,518 farmers working with 194 anchor companies.

He said the scheme had so far created 2.8 million and 8.4
million direct and indirect jobs respectively.

According to him, the institution had over the years sustained
its intervention in other critical sectors like power, aviation,
health and others which had triggered robust economic growth and
development in the country.

Okoroafor said that the bank had as at December 2018, disbursed
about N183.09 billion under the Nigeria Electricity Market
Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF), launched in December 2014.

He said the N213 billion facilities were aimed at settling some
debts in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Okoroafor said that efforts of the bank had led to the
generation of more than 1,200 MW in both hydro and thermal
plants.

He said that N25.4 billion had been disbursed under the Non-Oil
Export Stimulation Facility (NESF) and Export Development Facility
(EDF) initiative of the bank.

He explained that the scheme initiated in 2018 was to facilitate
access to credits in various sectors, adding that the institution
had supported several interventionist programmes including the
micro, small and medium enterprise development facility, Commerce
Agricultural Credit Scheme that had contributed to the economic
growth.

“The bank in an effort to deliver credible, reliable and
efficient payment system in November 2016, created Payment System
Management Department.

“The department is to drive Mobile Money Operations, agent
banking, establishment of Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum and
Watch-list for the Nigerian Banking Industry,” Okoroafor said.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the President of Enugu Chamber
of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emeka
Udeze, commended the bank for participating in the fair.

Udeze said that members of the chamber were satisfied with the
various intervention schemes of the bank aimed at encouraging
economic development and growth.

“We urge the CBN to design an improved way of working with some
institutions in the financial and banking sector that have been
designated for similar roles and still achieve the same targets,”
Udeze said. (NAN)

NEMA Provides Relief to Sokoto Victims of
Banditry

The federal Government through the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) has provided relief Assistance to the recent affected
victims of attack unleashed by armed bandits to communities in
Gandi, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

The relief materials which consists of food, other household
items, Assorted Drugs and other medical related materials was
distributed at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp by
Officials of NEMA, SEMA and other delegated authorities in the
state.

Director General of NEMA, Alh. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja who was
represented during the distribution by Head of Account Unit, NEMA
Sokoto Operations Office, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf stated that the
attack resulted to lost of lives, destruction of properties and
displacement of large numbers residents in the communities.

The relief materials donated to the affected victims taking
solace at the Gandi Primary School IDPs camp are 150 bags each of
Rice (50kg), beans, Maize and Millet (100Kg), 400 Pieces each of
Mattresses, Blankets, Treated Mosquito Nets and Nylon Mats; others
are 200 pieces of Guinea Brocade and 370 pieces of Wax Print.

Also the Drugs and other assorted medical related items provided
to victims consists of Analgesic/Pain relievers, Antibiotics,
Dressing materials, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-malaria, Anti-virus,
Anti-emetics, Anti-diarrheal, Anti-acids, Anti-intravenous infusion
of different made, tincture iodine, disposable gloves, bandages,
syringes/needles and other medical consumables.

However, the Director Relief and Rehablitation, SEMA Sokoto,
Mallam Mustapha Umar who on behalf of the state government
commended the prompt amd timely response of NEMA to alleviate the
plight of the affected victims. He also promised the relief items
will be shared among affected victims according to every household
needs.

Aliyu Mohammed
Information Officer,
NEMA Sokoto Operations Office.