Business
Stray Animals: Co-operative Union Raises Alarm In Etche
The President of Etche co-operative union, Mr Godwin Akandu, has decried the unwholesome destruction of food and cash crops of farmers in Etche Local Government Area by stray animals.
Mr Akandu who spoke to The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt said the union has received several reports from members and non members of the association over massive destruction on their farms by stray animals in the area, particularly goats.
He said every farming season, crops worth millions of naira were being destroyed by stray animals in the area stressing that the development has become a major source of worms to farmers.
The co-operative union boss called on the Ochie of Etche, His Royal Majesty Eze E.N.B. Opurum and the supreme council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs, the Divisional Police Officer in Okehi Police Station and Etche Local government council Chairman to use their good offices to stem the trend.
Akandu noted that if not checked, the situation might affect the status of Etche as the food basket of the state.
He expressed regret that owners of the stray animals would allow their animals to destroy crops owned by other farmers, describing the practice as callous and wicked.
Akandu enjoined members of his co-operative union to endeavour to catch any of the animals and report same to the police and not to take the laws into their hands .
He particularly warned members of the co-operative union to desist from allowing his or her animals to destroy agric crops as such would be strictly penalized.
Stray animals themselves are agric produce and we encourage it, but the cash and food crops being destroyed are also farm produce. It would be wicked to allow your goats to destroy others’ products,” he stated.
Akandu appealed to the town criers and local or community chiefs to spread the message and be active, stakeholder in the campaign against destruction of crops by stray animals.
Chris Oluoh
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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