ABIA STATE GOVT BEGINS DISBURSEMENT Of INTEREST FREE LOAN TO 302 TRAINED YOUTH FAMERS.
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
As preparation is in top gear across the globe for the 2024 world food day celebration billed for October 16, Abia State Government says it has commenced the disbursement of one to three million naira interest-free loans to 302 trained youth farmers.
The disbursement is under the state’s CSS Farms initiative with the aim of boosting
farming in the state.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day is “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.”
Announcing the interest free loan to newsmen at the Government House Umuahia after this week’s executive council meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the disbursement followed the approval of the loan by Governor Alex Otti last month.
Prince Kanu explained that the free loan for trained youth farmers, if well utilized, would help guarantee food security, combat hunger and malnutrition in the state.
The Commissioner further announced that Governor Otti would this month replicate a federal government health initiative that would offer free hypertension and diabetes test to 180,300 Abia persons tagged “Project 10 Million: Know Your Number, Control Your Number” initiative.
He explained that the high density screening locations in the 17 LGAs of the state was identified through advocacy with a Non-Governmental Diagnostics agreeing to partner the state Ministry of Health by contributing ₦30 million to ensure the success of programme.
According to Prince Kanu, the present administration in Abia State is putting machineries in motion to improve the healthcare of the people as the State is free from any new case of Cholera, Lassa fever, Diphtheria and M-pox.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr.
Cliff Agbaeze, noted that the interest free loan for the first batch of CSS Farm trainees ranges from one to three million naira depending on the Agric venture undertaken by each beneficiary.
He added that the ministry would see them through the process to ensure proper management of the loan.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
