By Gbenga Adewale
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has called on the
two anti-graft agencies in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related
Offences Commission (ICPC) to wade into the N100bn fund disbursed to some
states in the federation (as repayable loans), to build ranches.
In a release issued by the media and publications Officer, Toyin Odofin on
behalf of the Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran he stated that, “Against the
background of revelations and claims made in certain quarters concerning the
RUGA issue and its suspension by the Federal Government, it has become imperative
for us as anti-corruption organisation to lend our voice to the strident calls
by some good spirited Nigerians to the effect that N100bn (One Hundred Billion Naira)
that was disbursed in 2014 bythe President Jonathan Administration as
Agricultural loans to states, willing to build cattle
ranches for modern processing of beef which would then be transported nationwide
to consumers. This initiative was aimed at ending the bloodletting associated
with cattle rearing in Nigeria; prevent
roaming ofcattle, increasing the production of beef and milk that will cut down
the expenditure of $1.2bn a year on milk importation, among others.
The CACOL Boss added, “Apparently, if these funds had been properly dispensed
with for the very purpose it was meant for, the issue of another Rural Grazing
Areas carved out should not arise. This is why we (CACOL) believe that it is
imperative that those governors and individuals that benefitted from such loans
should be made to refund the monies collected. This is necessary to encourage accountability
and transparency and to also reflect the fact that government’s money was never
free money and must be properly taken stock of. It is also germane for any
future efforts of the government on this issue or any of its type, to be taken
serious and not be seen as another conduit for siphoning public funds or
settling political patronage. The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open
Leadership, CACOL therefore call on the anti-graft agencies to demand
investigation into fund disbursed for the programme in other to recover every
penny appropriated throughout the phase thereof.
The Boss added that, as a matter of urgency and national interest, the anti-graft
agencies should wade in and bring whosoever is culpable to book without much
ado so as to serve as a deterrent.
