By Frank Momoh
In its determined bid to address the manufacturing and sales of substandard and fake fertilizers across the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has presented certificate of registration and sales permit to fertilizer operators.
The presentation was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary Dr Ernest Umakhihe.
Represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal. The Permanent Secretary revealed that the Ministry had trained and deployed to the 36 States and FCT, Fertilizer and Agricultural Pesticides Quality Control Inspectors who are currently working with relevant security agencies to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act and Regulations, in order to protect the farmers and the industries.
Umakhike, pointed out that the non-licensed operators are by the law not allowed to produce, blend, import, market or distribute fertilizers in the country.
He then urged the suppliers to ensure that only licensed agro-dealers are allowed to buy their products, likewise to abide strictly and operate within the provisions of the Act and the implementing regulations.
Umakhihe, revealed that a grace period of two months has been granted for those who have not obtained theirs as failure to do so will have their facilities sealed off with resultant prosecution.
He threatened that the ministry will seal premises of fertilizer adulterators as it was witnessed in Kano and Adamawa States once the certificate of registration and sales permits are concluded.
The Permanent Secretary asserted that the Act required that upon fulfilment of all required conditions, fertilizer, suppliers, manufacturers/producers, blenders and importers will be issued with the certificate of registration while agro-dealers (distributors) that fulfil the same will be issued with the sales permit.
The certificate should be displayed in a strategic area of their facilities pointing out that the National Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act was in the process of repealing to accommodate Agricultural Pesticides in the Act, he said.
He explained that the essence was to consolidate and expand the Act, curtail the effect of contaminated foods and address the blending of adulterated fertilizers for the interest of farmers, genuine operators and the protection of environment.
He commended the federal government for the Act signed into law by President Buhari in 2019 as well as the implementing regulations that were signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2020 which requires that all companies that would operate in Nigeria must be registered and get the Certificate of Registration and Sales Permit from the authorized implementing authority.
He however pointed out that efforts were on to address the challenges to enhance the food production and food security challenges, particularly those affecting the fertilizer industry.
He revealed that efforts were being made to source basic raw materials that were not available in the country. Like, Urea and Limestone (NPKs) which are obtained locally while Diammonia Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) are sourced from Morocco and Belarus.
The resultant scarcity he noted, gave rise to the high cost of the raw materials and the price of the corresponding finished products-NPKs but to tackle the issue head-on, the Ministry is working with the relevant agencies to source the two important raw materials locally through the Solid Mineral Development Fund to guide against future scarcity.
He reiterated that the Act and regulations were not intended to create a stumbling block to the operators’ business but to protect the genuine and entrepreneurs, the farmers, the environment and the entire citizenry from both economic and human losses.
Signed: Olatunji Modupe, for
Director, Information (FMARD).
