Farmers protest diversion, distribution of fertilizers to relatives by Ishielu council boss, Agwu

…. Petition Gov. Nwifuru for internation

…..it’s a fake news by the enemies of progress, development – aide

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

Rural farmers have petitioned governor Francis Nwifuru over alleged distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs to political cronies, friends and relations by the Council Chairman of Ishielu local government area, Mrs. Peace Agwu.

The farmers who protested against the distribution of fertilizers to the undeserving political cronies of the Ishielu council chairman, called for the immediate intervention of the governor Francis Nwifuru.

The angry rural farmers lamented that they were denied access to the fertilizers and other farm inputs provided to them by the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

The spokesperson of the rural farmers in Ishielu local government area, Mr. Friday Ali said that the farmers have resolved to write a formal petition to the State Governor over the treatment melted out on the real and genuine rural Farmers in the local government, adding that those who benefitted are not known farmers in the area.

He stressed further that over 95% of the beneficiaries were political office holders, political stakeholders of the local government, relations of the Council Chairman and well to do individuals in the local government.

Ali, in a petition written to the governor, Francis Nwifuru, after the distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs at the Council headquarters Ezillo said: “It is disheartening that the State Governor as part of effort to boast food production in the State will provide fertilizers and other farm inputs for genuine farmers, the items will be shared to people who do not have farmlands or intend to do so.

“The good intentions of the State Governor is being jeopardized by political office holders who receives the farm inputs, assemble their political cronies, friends and well to do individuals in the local government and distribute the items to them.

“We that are not politicians are denied the fertilizers and the farm inputs because we don’t have anyone to speak for us. 

“We want to appeal to the State Governor through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure strict Monitoring of the distribution to forestall a reoccurrence.

The farmers further disclosed that most of the fertilizers and inputs end up in the markets as those who are direct beneficiaries turn around to sell the items to traders in the market who in turn sell at a high price.

“When you go to International Market, Abakaliki, you will see the same fertilizers distributed in the local government in different shops in the market. 

“I will urge the State Government to set up a taskforce to move into the market, identify those who sell the inputs, arrest them and prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others.

“It is an economic sabotage for one to receives fertilizers from government with the aim of using it in the farm only for him to take it to the market, sell them off while those who needs it will end up buying them at a very high cost” he stated.

In a swift reaction, the Ishielu council chairperson, Mrs. Agwu, through the media aide, Odii Chukwuemeka described the petition as a fake news.

“The chairperson has evidence of sharing the fertilizers and other farm inputs to the real farmers in Ishielu local government area. 

“The petition is coming from the pit of hell, and from detractors who wants to tarnish the image of the chairperson.

“The farmers were happy that the fertilizers and other farm inputs were distributed to them” he stressed.