The ministry of Budget and National Planning has described a recent message purportedly posted on the social media calling on individuals and corporate organisations to apply for the N5bn million Small and Medium Scale (SMEs) Business loans as a scam.
The Ministry denied sending any messages on the social media, while Udo Udoma Udo, the minister of the Ministry, whose office was alleged to have sent the messages, also denied having any Facebook account.
Mr. Charles Dafe, director (Information) at the Ministry, said in a statement yestarday, “The attention of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning has been drawn to a Facebook message purportedly posted by the Hon Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma on his Facebook Wall calling on individuals and Corporate Organisations to apply for N5 Million Small and Medium Scale Business Loans
The message reads as follows; “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning has made available the Sum of 5 Billion Naira Intervention Loan for Small and Medium Scale Business. The Loan Facility is interest free and is payable within a period of 2 years. Interested Applicants should reply through or contact The Ministry of Budget and National Planning through ‘budgetministry@yahoo.com” to enable you accesses the Loan Form. Note: The Highest Amount to be loaned out to an Individual or Corporate Entity is 5 Million Naira as this is to enable well-meaning Nigerians to benefit from the Scheme and Individuals must have a Valid Email Address. For further Enquiries, contact 08165768475”
The Ministry of Budget and National Planning warned that, “It is a clear 419 message from criminal scammers who are dubiously defrauding unsuspecting publics. Currently, the Honourable Minister Udo Udoma does not have an active Facebook Account”
The Ministry advised Nigerians that Government has formal communication channels it utilizes to appropriately communicate to the Publics for policies requiring mass public participation such as announcements in Television and Radio placed advertisements in national dailies
Dafe said, “Government is intensifying effort to arrest and deal decisively with these fraudsters whom are blinded to the fact that the present administration has zero tolerance for such characters.
“The publics are hereby advised to disregard such message and be wary of the activities of 419 scammers”.