By Stella Odueme
The Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) has affirmed unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability in all it’s operations, denying strongly report by an online medium alleging “fraud”, fund diversion and non-payment to agro-input suppliers’ saying; “we reject these allegations in the strongest terms.”
The article had alleged that senior government officials “diverted” funds allocated for payment to agro-input suppliers but NAIDA in a rebuttal statement by its President, Kabiru Umar Fara made available to agriculture reporters in About on Wednesday, said “We categorically deny any act of fraudulent diversion.
No credible evidence has been presented that any official has personally benefited from funds earmarked for suppliers and Agro Dealers.
“As a programme funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), NAGS-AP is subject to stringent audit, monitoring, and financial oversight.
“All financial disbursements, procurement and payments are recorded, available for audit, and reported to AfDB.
Any allegations of misappropriation or forgery will be taken seriously. If there is credible evidence, NAGS-AP and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security are ready to cooperate with any investigation.”
Continuing, the statement said; “the article’s assertion that “money earmarked for payment to agro dealers [was] used for other items ‘not captured in the programme’” remains unsubstantiated. The suggestion that this was done in bad faith or deliberately is false.”
On the status of payments, delays, and context, the statement agreed that there have been delays in payments to some suppliers and Agro Dealers but delays do not equate to fraud or misuse.
“The causes of delays are complex and include bureaucratic verification processes, reconciliation of delivery reports, quality checks, and ensuring compliance with the procurement standards mandated by AfDB and federal regulations
“The article states that suppliers∕ Agro Dealers have not been paid “15 months after they delivered inputs” and that “six months after the funds were released, the agro-dealers have not been paid.
“These timescales are misleading or incorrect in parts. Some payments have been processed, and others are in the final stages of documentation and reconciliation. Some of the delays are due to issues beyond the agency’s direct control (e.g., late submission of required documentation by some supplier or banking / auditing delays).”
NAGS-AP affirmed that once suppliers meet all contractual obligations, verification, and quality standards and submit the required documentation, maintaining that payments are being, and will be made as per the agreed schedule, saying; “No funds have been withheld arbitrarily.”
On the claims of supplier hardship, the statement said; “NAIDA regrets any hardship experienced by members.The Association is aware that the NAGS-AP is working assiduously to expedite all delayed payments and to address bottlenecks.”
Already, the statement noted that the programmee has informed NAIDA about its internal reconciliation and transparency efforts to ensure that payments are not delayed unduly.
“The article implies that all payments are stalled and that no payments have been made. This is factually inaccurate. Some payments have been made; others are in process.
“The suggestion that senior officials have acted in bad faith or diverted funds without evidence is defamatory and misleading.
Assertions that the situation could “jeopardize the state of emergency declared in the agric sector” or that food prices will spiral are speculative and alarmist.
“To ensure transparency, the Association is glad that the NAGS-AP has indicated its readiness to publish (or make available) a schedule of payments, names of suppliers who have been paid, and those pending, along with reasons for delays.
“We invite Factsheet.ng and other media houses to engage with us directly, present evidence, and verify facts before making public allegations that damage reputations and sow distrust.
“The claims in the aforementioned article are exaggerated, factually incomplete, and misleading. NAIDA remains committed to fulfilling its mandate to support smallholder farmers, ensuring timely delivery of inputs, remunerating suppliers, and operating within the rules of accountability and transparency. We urge the public and media to await verified facts, official reports, and audit findings rather than relying on uncorroborated claims.”
The $134 million Agric programme, NAGS-AP is being funded by AFDB.
