The Central Bank of Nigeria says it has disbursed over N2.2bn out of the N3bn agricultural loan to farmers in Bayelsa State under its Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, contrary to allegations that officials of the state government diverted the funds. Officials of the CBN, Yenagoa branch, led by its Controller, Mr Francis Ene-Asuquo, came up with the clarification during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday. A former General Manager of the State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr John Idumange, had alleged fraud in the disbursement of the N3bn and accused some state government officials of sharing the funds. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted Ene-Asuquo as saying the N2.2bn was disbursed to 2,000 direct beneficiaries who established themselves into clusters. The branch controller said, “Also, N600m has been disbursed directly to poultry farmers in the state, which made it possible for them to now supply eggs to neighbouring states in commercial quantity.” Shedding more light on the alleged N3bn agricultural loan controversy, the CBN’s Head of Development Finance, Mr Stanley Oruyeigha, dismissed the claim as mere speculation and outright falsehood.