Stories by John Oba
Abuja
As part of efforts of achieving zero rejection of Nigeria’s agricultural produce, sustain the implementation of federal government’s, validated strategy document for a single quality control management system plan the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has threatened to start disclosing names of companies that engage in the exportation of sub-standard agricultural produce.
The visibly angry minister stated this last Thursday at the validation meeting saying concerns for standard and quality control can no longer be treated with levity, and that it has become necessary for Nigeria as a nation to take the matter seriously.
He said: “In order to stem the tide, henceforth government would come down hard on the culprits by naming and shaming individuals and agencies falling to abide by laid down regulations on standards and quality control in the spirit of anti-corruption and beneficial change for national redemption.
He alleged that some of those who export substandard produce circumvent certification and quality control compliance checks by indulging in bribery and other unhealthy, unethical and despicable acts in desperate need to cheat the system, weaken the institutions and render them less effective.
The document developed by a high level Inter-ministerial and agencies committee will help to harmonised concern agencies’ part in certifying the quality of agricultural produces exported from Nigeria.
He added that it is time for Nigerians to recognise that there is only one global and acceptable standard in the world as there can be no Nigerian standard or Chinese standard when it comes to matters of food.
Therefore warned that those caught will be severally dealt with while agencies that fails to abide by lay down rules and regulations will be named and shamed. “in the spirit of anti-corruption and beneficial change, we shall not spare any offender for causing our nation avoidable losses and unnecessary embarrassment through export of sub-standard produce.
Henceforth government will ensure that all exporters of agro produce follow the rule by complying with prescribed global standard,” he warned.
“Anything that poisons us cannot be standard by any measure therefore, agrochemical infestation, dead objects like rats, feaces of animals and all kinds of unwholesome presence in our agro-exports or agro-produce for local consumption can not longer be accepted.
“And in dealing with that this, committee will have more jobs to do, even the packaging of our produce, accordingly, we must all then choose that international standard as the benchmark for our agro and non oil export to enhance our global competitiveness,” he said.
Ogbeh said nothing is more embarrassing in this era of free trade and tragic than to continue to have Nigeria goods and food items rejected in world market.
“The truth is that we have never seriously paid attention to the question of quality control, adding that there are standard demanded everywhere and that if Nigeria can meet it, there will be no obstacle to what Nigeria can export. We must develop zero tolerance for transportation of sub-standard produce within and outside the country.
