The Jos Branch, Central Bank of Nigeria Controller, Mr. Yusuf Duniya, has said that the sum of ₦1.5 Billion has been approved for the Accelerated Agricultural Developmental Scheme (AADS) targeted towards 10,000 youths between the ages of 18 and 35 years in each State.
Mr. Duniya stated this when he led the Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, on a courtesy visit to Governor Simon Lalong at the Government House, Jos, recently.
According to him, the State Government needs to provide land in clusters, a minimum of 100 hectares for the pilot project for 10,000 youths to be qualified.
He added that the State Government would select a Bank to package loans for the applicants which will be disbursed through it.
The Branch Controller advised the Plateau State Government to empower Plateau State Small Scale and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (PLASMIDA), so that prospective entrepreneurs from the 17 Local Governments Areas will be trained to enable them access the loans. He stressed that most of the loan applicants are currently concentrated in the state capital.
According to him, another ₦900Million was being processed by the same Bank for the benefit of the Agricultural Service Training Centre (ASTC) among many other interventions.
Responding, Governor Simon Bako Lalong said that the State was determined to key into numerous developmental initiatives of the CBN. He said that the issue of Anchor Borrowers by the CBN had been given utmost attention in the State, adding that the State had benefited immensely.
Lalong also said that the National Livestock Policy of the Federal Government which is a very important programme, would not be ignored,but would be pursued to have an Integrated Diary in the State.
Lalong maintained that schemes of such nature should be embraced with utmost attention, saying that it would take youths off the streets as well as provide economic diversification in the State.
He decried the closure of banks in the State by 3:00 pm, instead of 4:00 pm stating that peace had since returned to the State.
