Lagos — The South South Zone of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria has provided micro credit facilities to 35 of its members.

The Programme Coordinator, Mr. Isaac Noah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom, that the facility was given through the Church's Integrated Development Programme (IDP).

Noah said that the credit facility ranged from N50,000 to N10,000.

He said that the IDP was a special ministry of the Church to develop members and non members in the communities where the Church operates to become economically independent.

Noah said that the economic welfare of members was crucial to the growth of the Church and the community, adding that the Church believed in "total development."

He said that the programme covered small scale enterprises, environmental sanitation, agriculture and agro-feed processing as well as other income generating projects.

Noah said that first set of beneficiaries, who got the financial assistance in October 2009, were trained before being given the facility to ensure prudent management and guarantee repayment.

"We are seeking to expand our operations into various crops. This is why we are seeking affiliation with All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

"We hope to access the agricultural loan announced by the Federal Government for farmers through AFAN.

"We have completed the registration formalities so that our members can draw from the credit facility when disbursement starts," Noah said.

He appealed to the leadership of AFAN in Akwa Ibom to help farmers in the area with agriculture extension services to further build their capacity in new farming techniques.

He said that the IDP had resolved to achieve self sufficiency in food production for its members and the community.