Blacklisted farmers petition Agribank
About 100 defaulters have demanded that Agribank extend their repayment periods to 33 years.
A group of disgruntled loan holders have marched to Agribank's headquarters, as well as the finance ministry offices, to demand that their repayment periods be extended to a maximum of 33 years, without undue delay.
The farmers marched from Katutura to the Agribank premises, where they also demanded to be removed from ITC blacklisting.
The farmers have on previous occasions complained they have been blacklisted following the bank's decision to rope in debt collectors to collect outstanding loan arrears that have been heaping up over the years.
About 100 farmers joined the march on Tuesday, as they handed over their petition in which they said they are still haunted by the horrific dispossession of their land during German colonialism and racist South African rule.
In their petition, the group said they are disappointed and disillusioned by the summary removal of both the government guarantee and subsidy to affirmative action loan scheme (AALS) farmers by the finance minister about ten years ago.
“We are further disheartened by the total lack of support for the AALS and the involved black Namibian farmers by the government, in a manner that clearly discriminates against this scheme and those participating in it, when compared to the resettlement programme and its beneficiaries,” the petition read.
The petition also pointed out that the farmers find themselves in a “near impossible state” to meet their debt service requirements, due to the combination of the high contributions required from them at the point of purchase, the high prices of land, the high interest rates charged on land and perpetual drought.
“We therefore hereby wish to categorically reiterate our considered position borne out of our collective experience regarding the efficacy of the AALS as an intervention measure by government on this vexed issue of land reform and redistribution,” the petition said further.
The farmers called on finance minister Calle Schlettwein to immediately reinstate the guarantee and subsidy for AALS farmers.
Agribank communications and marketing manager, Rino Muranda, said the bank is studying the petition and that the board will discuss it and pronounce itself before a response is issued within the stipulated time of 14 days.
“In the meantime, our stance remains the same; individual farmers have to visit our offices and make individual repayment agreements that will be based on their respective circumstances.
“The bank is and has always been willing to meet with the clients on a one-on-one basis, just like we did when they came to apply for these loans,” he said.
Deputy finance minister Natangwe Ithete received the petition on behalf of Schlettwein.
He told petitioners the ministry will deal with the issue within the confines of the country's laws.
JEMIMA BEUKES
The farmers marched from Katutura to the Agribank premises, where they also demanded to be removed from ITC blacklisting.
The farmers have on previous occasions complained they have been blacklisted following the bank's decision to rope in debt collectors to collect outstanding loan arrears that have been heaping up over the years.
About 100 farmers joined the march on Tuesday, as they handed over their petition in which they said they are still haunted by the horrific dispossession of their land during German colonialism and racist South African rule.
In their petition, the group said they are disappointed and disillusioned by the summary removal of both the government guarantee and subsidy to affirmative action loan scheme (AALS) farmers by the finance minister about ten years ago.
“We are further disheartened by the total lack of support for the AALS and the involved black Namibian farmers by the government, in a manner that clearly discriminates against this scheme and those participating in it, when compared to the resettlement programme and its beneficiaries,” the petition read.
The petition also pointed out that the farmers find themselves in a “near impossible state” to meet their debt service requirements, due to the combination of the high contributions required from them at the point of purchase, the high prices of land, the high interest rates charged on land and perpetual drought.
“We therefore hereby wish to categorically reiterate our considered position borne out of our collective experience regarding the efficacy of the AALS as an intervention measure by government on this vexed issue of land reform and redistribution,” the petition said further.
The farmers called on finance minister Calle Schlettwein to immediately reinstate the guarantee and subsidy for AALS farmers.
Agribank communications and marketing manager, Rino Muranda, said the bank is studying the petition and that the board will discuss it and pronounce itself before a response is issued within the stipulated time of 14 days.
“In the meantime, our stance remains the same; individual farmers have to visit our offices and make individual repayment agreements that will be based on their respective circumstances.
“The bank is and has always been willing to meet with the clients on a one-on-one basis, just like we did when they came to apply for these loans,” he said.
Deputy finance minister Natangwe Ithete received the petition on behalf of Schlettwein.
He told petitioners the ministry will deal with the issue within the confines of the country's laws.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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