The Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will on Tuesday, 28th July 2020, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for partnership on the implementation of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of the 13th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum held on Wednesday, 22nd July 2020.
Fayemi noted that the partnership is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the programme and economic opportunities for smallholder farmers in all States.
He also stated that the initiative will be followed by the establishment of a joint project team, engagement with stakeholders and launch during the 2020 dry season farming”
“A new partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) aimed at strengthening the implementation of the programme and economic opportunities for smallholder farmers in all States.
“In the light of the proposed partnership with the CBN on the ABP, an official MoU signing will be held on Tuesday, 28th June 2020. The initiative will be followed by the establishment of a joint project team, engagement with stakeholders and launch during the 2020 dry season farming” he stated.
According to the NGF Chairman, it was also resolved for state government, through their Ministries of Finance to utilize technical assistance available within the NGF Secretariat to publish their approved amended 2020 COVID-19-responsive budgets by 31st July 2020; maintain the implementation of a tax compliance relief programme for individual taxpayers and business to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis; issue emergency procurement guidelines; and adopt procedures to facilitate the participation of small and medium scale enterprises in State procurement by 30th September 2020.
“Members of the Forum resolved as follows to:
Strengthen the risk communication pillar of the State COVID-19 Task Teams as proposed by the PTF National Coordinator, and foster stronger collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, State Orientation Agencies, religious and traditional institutions, as well as civil societies.
“They will also step-up the current efforts by taking key health and safety measures to the doorsteps of Nigerians in all 774 local governments areas in the country.
“State government, through their Ministries of Finance will utilize technical assistance available within the NGF Secretariat to publish their approved amended 2020 COVID-19-responsive budgets by 31st July 2020; maintain the implementation of a tax compliance relief programme for individual taxpayers and business to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis; issue emergency procurement guidelines; and adopt procedures to facilitate the participation of small and medium scale enterprises in State procurement by 30th September 2020.
“In the light of the proposed partnership with the CBN on the ABP, an official MoU signing will be held on Tuesday, 28th June 2020. The initiative will be followed by the establishment of a joint project team, engagement with stakeholders and launch during the 2020 dry season farming”.
By Olusegun Abisoye,
Independent