Quarantine Service to clamp down on Grain Hoarding, Unauthorized Exports
Determined to support the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilize food prices and ensure food security, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has initiated a nationwide crackdown on the hoarding of agricultural commodities.
This decisive action is part of the agency’s mandate to regulate the handling of agricultural products in Nigeria, ensuring they are safe for consumption and available at fair prices to the Nigerian populace.
In an interview, the Acting Comptroller General of NAQS, Dr. Godwin S. Audu stated, “In line with the renewed hope agenda of the current administration, we are fully committed to ensuring that Nigerians have more food on their table. By strengthening our borders and clamping down on the smuggling of hoarded essential commodities, we are taking significant strides towards enhancing the availability and affordability of food in Nigeria. Food security is a paramount concern for the Nigerian government, and we are committed to ensuring that agricultural commodities are distributed fairly and efficiently. We believe that our efforts to clamp down on hoarding practices will not only help to stabilize food prices but also promote transparency and fairness in the agricultural supply chain.”
To combat the illegal smuggling and hoarding of agricultural commodities, NAQS is enhancing its surveillance and control measures at all entry and exit points. Officers of the agency are working tirelessly across the country’s borders and control posts, conducting rigorous inspections, and monitoring the movement of goods to ensure exported commodities do not.
Furthermore, the agency is bolstering its efforts to work in collaboration with other stakeholder organizations to improve both the quantity and quality of food produced in Nigeria. This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling some of the recent challenges facing the agricultural sector and aims to ensure food security and promote sustainable development.
The Acting Comptroller General urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to the hoarding or smuggling of agricultural commodities, as community participation and collaboration is vital for the success of this campaign.
