Officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its subsidiary (NIRSAL), on Wednesday, 20th May, 2020, inspected a proposed land for Rice cultivation at Arochukwu, being facilitated by the Minority Whip/member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha.

Speaking while taking the apex bank officials and some members of the communities round the site, Hon. Dr. Ukoha explained that his desire to ensure food in abundance and an improved agriculture, motivated him to bring the CBN officials to his constituency, so as to see ways they can finance rice cultivation in the area, through access to loans.

He explained that it will be his desire to ensure that CBN approves the proposed land for the purpose, if it met their minimum requirement.

The Minority Whip, gave the assurance that the people of Ugbo/Amukwa in Arochukwu have enormous land for rice cultivation and thanked them for their visit.

In his reaction, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Reginald Opara, expressed delight on the receptive nature of Aro people.

He further stated that the CBN, through NIRSAL, has been given out loans to individuals and cooperatives for agric-businesses; and assured that if the proposed land meets their requirements, it will be approved and loans processed for the purpose.

Also speaking at the event, a political stakeholder in Arochukwu, Elder Mrs. Charity Achinivu, thanked the officials on their visit.

She expressed displeasure that in the past, the people have been finding it difficult to get loans from the government for the growth of their agric businesses.

Elder Mrs. Achinivu commended the people of Ugbo/Amukwa for being proactive in rice farming, and call on the government to assist the people.

In his remark, a Community Leader in the area, Mazi Okechukwu Okoronkwo, thanked the CBN officials for coming to inspect their land for rice farming.

He added that apart from rice cultivation, the people have massive land for cassava production, stressing that what is needed is proper funding through access to loans.

Highpoint of the visit was the inspection of the proposed land by the Lawmaker, CBN officials and some able-bodied men from the community.