The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced moves to recover an estimated N9.3 trillion intervention facility given to state governments, companies and individuals to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The Director, Development Finance Department of CBN, Mr Yusuf Yila, conveyed the bank’s move at a media briefing in Abuja.
He said while N3.75 trillion has so far been recovered out of the N9.3 trillion,his bank would not rest on its oars to recover the full loans disbursed to the beneficiaries.
“Of that figure, N5 trillion has not matured because we gave out some long tenor loans in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors which would take some years to mature”, he said.
He warned those with the wrong assumption that the loans were grants and cash gifts, to immediately perish such thoughts because relevant levers of loan recovery structures were being pressed to ensure that the money was totally recovered.
He disclosed that the security agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been enlisted to make debtors to pay up, while the Global Standing Instructions (GSI) has also been activated.
He said:“For the States, we debit them directly at FAAC. For the over N1 trillion facility under the Anchor Borrower’s Programme, we have recovered N400 billion so far.All loans must be paid back. No mercy. We’re working with EFCC to set up a desk to recover the loans. It’s like a revolving scheme and when people pay back, we can give to others. These are loans not grants, including the Targeted Credit Facility. We will chase debtors to recover the money to the last kobo.
“Good thing we have the individuals BVN and we always track monies that move in and go out their accounts. When money comes in, we’ll mop it up.We’re slowing down on intervention programmes not to dump too much liquidity into the economy”.