Agro Dealers Fault FG’s N65billion Debt Settlement Claim

Agro dealers in Nigeria have faulted claims that N65billion has been released by the Federal Government to settle the debt owed fertiliser suppliers in the country.
The group, in a statement, explained that over 500 agro dealers participated in the 2014 Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GESS, programme and the  Goodluck Jonathan administration paid some dealers in February 2016,leaving a total outstanding debt of about N75billion which is inclusive of the money owed seed firms and fertiliser suppliers.

“Several attempts were made to get the money paid before this government came in but were futile. Agro dealers under the Agro dealers Association of Nigeria made several representation to the new ministers who understood their plights and promised to do something about the issue,” the group said.

“The agro dealers were paid 28.8 per cent of what they were owed in July, 2016 and were directed to proceed to the field. Unfortunately, the price of fertiliser had gone astronomical in the market due to foreign exchange issues, hence most of the dealers couldn’t purchase even a truck of fertiliser and the story has not changed,” it explained.

It insisted that there is an outstanding N52billion owed fertiliser suppliers alone, adding that since the false claim was made, banks, transporters, warehouse owners and stakeholders along the value chain have been besieging the homes and offices of agro dealers and fertiliser suppliers to demand their monies.

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