The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved the request of the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde to access about N7.6b loan to boost farm settlements in Akufo and Eruwa areas of the state.
This approval was sequel to the letter forwarded by the governor and read by the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin at plenary on Thursday, October 10, 2019.
After heated deliberations by members on the issue, majority of the lawmakers observing that the loan facility should spread across farm settlements in the state, the Speaker finally ruled that the loan would be approved as sent by the governor.
The governor is seeking to access the N7.6 billion naira loan to develop Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements into farm estates in the state.
The two farm settlements, which are located within Ido/Ibarapa federal constituency are to serve as pilot projects that will be used to develop other farm settlements across the state.
In their separate reactions, the deputy Speaker, Hon Abiodun Fadeyi and the Minority Leader, Hon Asimiyu Alarape called for the extension of the loan facility to other farm settlements across the state.
They equally urged the executive arm of government in Oyo state to ensure judicious use of the agricultural loan to enable it achieve the purpose for which it is being sought.
Hon. Isiaka Tunde representing Oyo East/ Oyo West constituency and Hon. Dele Adeola representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju state constituency also expressed their dissatisfaction on concentration of the loan to only two farm settlements located within only one federal constituency.
They noted that there is need for Governor Seyi Makinde to spread the scope and usage of the agricultural loan to other zones in the state and not limit it to Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements alone.
While passing the resolution, the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin overruled the submissions of other lawmakers, stating that the loan facility would be approved as presented by the governor.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
