CSIAF Coorodinator appeals to civil servants to invest in agriculture

The Anambra state coordinator of Civil Servants In Agriculture Foundation ( CSIAF), Prince Donatus Orjika, stated that the mission and vision of CSIAF were anchored on assisting the average worker or civil servant prepare well for a happy and sustainable retirement by some committed Investments in Agriculture and Agro Value Chains.

Orjika made the assertion while inaugurating Anambra North zone A chapter of the foundation in Anambra state.

He appealed to all civil servants and pensioners to join the Association as a common front to accessing loans and grants for Agriculture and agro Value Chains, which is the only reliable alternative to the continuing and skyrocketing costs of living and dwindling sources of income for the average worker.

He called on other committed youths and stakeholders, with vested Interests in Agriculture, to come forward and access loans up to N950,000 through the organization, on an interest rate of 25% per annum and repayment schedule of one year plus, with a 40% Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) interest draw back on early repayment of previous loans.

During an interaction with the Local government chairman,Dr Anselem Onuorah, a deal was struck by both parties to keep the drumbeat high for more green agricultural ventures and technical support trainings for staff in order to attract greater dividends of prosperity through Agriculture to the areas.

Also addressing the workers, the management of Nirsal Micro Finance Bank PLC, Awka Branch, reiterated their commitment to providing funds and told the workers to take advantage of the opportunity being offered by the bank through, the CBN Agriculture Intervention Scheme/ Guaranteed Loan for up to a million Naira without collaterals.

He stressed that, “Farmers who take the loan facility are covered by a 40% interest draw back by the CBN. This simply means that the CBN pays you back as much as 40% of all interests paid on your loan after the scheduled repayment, as incentive to continuing investments in Agriculture and a room for further bigger loans guarantee.

“Non Civil Servants can key in through Civil Servants in Agriculture Foundation to access the loans if interested he said. A number of questions were thrown up by the workers and they got favourable responses.”

The high point of the event, was the formal Inauguration of the Zone A Chapter, Anambra North(Ayamelum, Oyi, Anambra East and West Local Government Areas) of the Association, by the state coordinator and his team.

Present at the event were Deputy Coordinator of CSIAF,Rev Canon Okoye Ferdinand Nwafor, The Welfare Officer, Mrs Uzoewulu Regina, some staff of the Nirsal Micro Finance Bank PLC, Awka, the Local Government Chairman, Dr Anselm Onuorah, the LG Nulge Chairman/ Anambra East LG Coordinator of the Association, Comrade John Dinyelu, and The HPM ,Mr. Fabian Ekweoba, among other Senior Officers of the LGA.