From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association (NAIDA) has dismissed allegations of fraud and diversion of funds in the $134 million African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) project.
The association was reacting to a report by online platform Factsheet.ng which alleged that senior government officials diverted funds meant for the payment of agro-input suppliers under the programme.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the President of NAIDA, Kabiru Umar Fara, described the allegations as “false, misleading, and unsubstantiated,” stressing that there was no evidence that any official had diverted project funds.
“The article’s assertion that money earmarked for payment to agro dealers was used for items not captured in the programme remains unsubstantiated. The suggestion that this was done in bad faith or deliberately is false,” the statement read.
While acknowledging delays in payments to some suppliers and agro dealers, Fara explained that the setbacks were due to bureaucratic verification processes, reconciliation of delivery reports, quality checks, and compliance with AfDB and federal procurement standards.
He clarified that although some suppliers were yet to receive payments, others had been settled while remaining transactions were in advanced stages of documentation and reconciliation.
“NAGS-AP affirms that once suppliers meet all contractual obligations, verification, and quality standards and submit the required documentation, payments are being, and will be, made as per the agreed schedule. No funds have been withheld arbitrarily,” Fara added.
On accountability, the NAIDA president noted that all disbursements and procurements under NAGS-AP are subject to strict audits, monitoring, and oversight by AfDB. He assured that the association and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security were ready to cooperate with any investigation should credible evidence of wrongdoing surface.
Fara, however, expressed regret over the hardship experienced by some members due to delayed payments but stressed that this did not amount to fraud. He said the programme was working to expedite all pending payments and address bottlenecks.
The association also disclosed that NAGS-AP was prepared to publish a schedule of payments, listing suppliers who had been paid and those whose payments were pending, along with reasons for delays, as part of its commitment to transparency.
“The claims in the article are exaggerated, factually incomplete, and misleading. NAIDA remains committed to supporting smallholder farmers, ensuring timely delivery of inputs, remunerating suppliers, and operating within the rules of accountability and transparency. We urge the media to seek verified facts and official reports rather than relying on uncorroborated claims,” the statement concluded.