Nigeria’s quarantine service join government’s vigilante food price fixing, trans-border movement

NAQS,  Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, have begun tightening its border inspection protocols to stop badly needed food commodities from leaving the country, mirroring what has been happening in the West Africa’s sub region lately.

NAQS, in a recent statement also hinted that there is nationwide smuggling and hoarding of agricultural commodities.

Nigeria has large sub regional based commodity and food markets in Kano, Lagos, Onitsha and border locations in Kwara and according to the service, the measure is part of measures to support the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilize food prices and ensure food security in the country.

Akanji Joshua, Media Communications and Strategies in NAQS, explained that the decisive action is part of the agency’s mandate to regulate the handling of agricultural products in Nigeria as well as ensuring that they are safe for consumption and available at fair prices to the Nigerian populace.

“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 agricultural commodities.

“Food security is a paramount concern for the Nigerian government, and we are committed to ensuring that agricultural commodities are not smuggled out of the country through our Ports and Land boarders.

“We believe that our efforts to clamp down on smuggling practices will not only help to stabilise 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 to ensure no Agro commodity is exported.

“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.

He noted that the Acting Comptroller General, Dr Godwin Sunday Audu, had 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.

FCCPC, Nigeria’s anti trust body recently began measures to fix prices against free market practice and also shut down a store in Abuja.

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