Association debunkes allegation of diversion of fund, says it’s misleading
Agency report
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, (RIFAN), Niger State Chapter, has debunked allegations of lack of focus and misplaced priority and diversion of funds levelled against it as baseless and unfounded.
Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, spokesman of the association said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to the allegations.
It would be recalled that one Shariff M. M Alhassan in a statement published in an online platform accused the leadership of the Niger State Chapter of RIFAN of diversion of funds meant to boost rice production for personal comfort of some of its members and cronies.
Yusuf maintained that there was no iota of truth in the allegations which he described as misleading and unverifiable, adding that it was intended to discredit the association.
“The attention of our association has been drawn to the unverifiable allegations against the coordinator of Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, in a publication purportedly written by one Shariff M. M Alhassan,” he said.
Yusuf said RIFAN as a critical stakeholder in the affairs of the nation, considered the allegations as a mere tale orchestrated to discredit it.
He maintained that Niger RIFAN remained the leading state in terms of rice production, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture and other State’s and Federal Government intervention agencies on food could attest to this fact.
He, however, challenged the Shariff M. M Alhassan to name the warehouse the rice he claimed were procured were stored or any actual corruption practice indulged in by the association.
He restated the association’s position that the report was meant to create rancor in its rank and misinform the public and good people of Niger State.
He wondered why the originator of the statement failed to make efforts to hear the side of the association to balance his sensational report before publishing.
According to Yusuf, the report was meant to pursue a sinister motive and should be disregarded by the public.
He assured that the association remained focused and committed to boosting local rice production in Niger state.
“It is note worthy to state that the pragmatic leadership of Niger State RIFAN has earned it accolades and numerous awards .
“We again use this opportunity to commend the entire membership of Niger State RIFAN for their several efforts to make the chapter successful,” he said.