FG Won’t Spend N60 Billion On Cell Phones For Farmers—-Agric Minister

In response to the scheme of buying 10 million phones for farmers, Agriculture minister, Dr akinwunmi Adeshina, has denied media reports that the federal Government has set aside a whooping N60 Billion for the purchase of cell phones from China for farmers.

In a statement in Abuja, Adeshina declared “There is no 60 Billion Naira for phones anywhere”.

He however explained the initiative  “The distribution of the phones will be supported through an MoU signed between the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the Ministry of Women Affairs. Out of the 10 million phones, 5 million will go to women. The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which supports expansion of mobile operators into rural areas, through a tax, will support this initiative, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. We intend to work with existing mobile operators in Nigeria through a public-private partnership.”