N3B. FILM INTERVENTION FUND: FG BARS AMAKA IGWE, FRANCIS DURU, OTHERS

Managing Director, Abuja Film Village, Mr. Segun Oyekunle made the revelation while speaking with our correspondent in Lagos. He said Amaka Igwe, her husband and Francis Duru including himself are not permitted to access the fund since they are members of the committee saddled with the responsibility of apportioning the money to those who apply for it.

He said it is erroneous for people to imagine that the money has been shared among members of the committee. According to him, the share for capacity building will be announced after December 31and that filmmakers are already uploading their information online to be able to access funds to make films.

He said until now there has not been this kind of intense mental physical and organisation work in determining how to access the fund.
“The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Culture sat in the committee on end. They traveled to Lagos with us, to determine how best to access that funding. Yes people have the right to be pessimistic because up till now, they have been disappointed.

“It is only now that the money is being accessed. Some said the committee has shared the money, but that is not true. In fact the committee is getting nothing. As a member of the committee, the Abuja Film Village cannot do what it should have been able to do, we could easily get money for capacity building but we are not allowed to do that. We could easily get money for production, we are not allowed to that because we are insider, that is how strict the condition is. None of the committee members is able to access it”, he said.