The Federal Government on Tuesday stated that it would start naming and shaming individuals and agencies involved in the exportation of substandard agricultural produce and other non-oil commodities.
It stated that the activities of such persons had made European countries to ban the importation of some non-oil commodities from Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said this at a high- level meeting involving different ministries and agencies of government on the validation of Nigeria’s strategy for a single quality control management system/plan for zero rejection of agricultural commodities and non-oil exports in Abuja.
Ogbeh said, “We must develop zero tolerance for the transportation of sub-standard produce within and out of the country by land, air or sea through the circumventing of certification and quality control compliance checks, and indulging in bribery and other unhealthy, unethical and despicable acts.
“In order to stem the tide, henceforth, government will come down hard on the culprits by naming and shaming individuals and agencies failing to abide by laid down regulations on standards and quality control. In the spirit of anti-corruption and beneficial change for national redemption, we shall not spare the offenders for causing our beloved nation avoidable losses and unnecessary embarrassment through the export of sub-standard products.”
He added, “In this connection, the government will ensure that, henceforth, all exporters of agricultural produce/food items follow the rules by complying with the prescribed global standards.
“We shall ensure that we make quarantine services available every day in all our airports and seaports.” – Punch.
