The Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has installed and sworn in 10 new executives for all commodity associations operating under the auspices of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the executives were appointed to oversee the activities of all other commodity associations as well as the export of agricultural commodities from the country.
Dr Evelyn Ngige, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, who inaugurated them, emphasized the importance of Nigeria looking into agriculture as a new source of income.
“As we can see, the global crude oil business is dwindling, and the global direction is shifting away from requiring fuel in order to do things.”
“Crude oil is Nigeria’s main commodity in generating foreign exchange so we have to look for other means. It has been observed that agriculture is the only way to go if we want to make it in Nigeria.
“The African continental free trade agreement is a very huge opportunity for Nigeria to make it,
“We will go on a right path towards ensuring that the products will become sought for throughout Africa and there will be free buying and selling all over Africa,” Ngige said.
The President of FACAN, Dr Victor Iyama, represented by the state Coordinator on Contract Farming, Mr Isaac Ojonugwa, in his remarks commended the Federal Government over the inauguration.
Iyama said that the inauguration was very important for the growth and development of the agricultural sector in the country.
“The significance of today’s event is to see how we can develop agricultural commodity associations in Nigeria so that the country can earn more foreign exchange,” said one participant.
“These commodity association executives put in place will be able to increase value addition for our commodities for export and domestic consumption,” he said.
In response to the ban on charcoal exportation, he stated that it was understandable that the move was made to prevent deforestation.
He did, however, mention that plans for afforestation were in the works to replace the charcoal trees that were being felled.
Mr. Babatunde Edu, President of the Nigerian National Association of Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters, and Afforestation, expressed his delight at the inauguration.
Edu also urged the government to lift the ban on charcoal exportation, which has harmed Nigerian businesses.
“For the past eight months, there have been numerous damages as a result of the ban, and all of our businesses have come to a halt.”
“We have several investment losses, and many international buyers have given money to Nigerian exporters for charcoal.”
“However, all of those investments are now trapped in the country, sending the wrong signal to the international community about Nigeria.”
“Also, the ban has affected citizens because the cost of charcoal used to be N1,600 per bag, but now it’s around N4,000 due to low production,” Babatunde explained.
In his remarks, Mr Suleman Audu, Director, Commodities and Export Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, stated that the ministry would be in charge of the formation and nurturing of all Executive in Commodities Associations.
He also encouraged the newly inaugurated Executive to be dedicated to their work while assuring them that he will keep an eye on them to ensure that they do not stray from their duties.
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