Business
Mechanised Agric, Key Sector For Nation’s Economy
Mechanised Agriculture has been identified as one of the key sectors capable of sustaining the nation’s economy if properly harnessed.
Nigeria,s first Lady and wife of the president, Hajiya [Dr.] Turia Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, made the observation Monday during the official flagging – off and lunching of the 2009 cropping season for the Nigerian women in the southern part of the country held at Okpara Square, Enugu.
According to her, no economy can record meaningful feat without agriculture, hence the Yar’Adua led federal government places much emphasis on the sector, stressing the need for the country to always give mechanised farming serious attention it deserved.
She therefore, explained that the southern lunching exercise which was coming less than one week that of the Northern part of the country took place in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory was a genuine attempt designed to empower Nigerian women in agriculture, adding that provision of the farm implements being made available to the women at a subsidise rate would also go a long way in enhancing food security in the country.
The First Lady, however, called on all and sundry to always support women farmers especially those that are into mechanized farming, pointing out that agriculture, as being encapsulated in the federal government’s 7-point agenda would continue to receive adequate attention of the Federal Government.
Her words: “It is worth mentioning here that women are responsible in carrying out greater percentage of agricultural labour and about 60 per cent food processing activities, they still have access to less than 20 per cent agricultural inputs being distributed nation wide”, saying such situation remains a serious challenge and impediment on the side of the women towards contributing having food security in the nation.
“I salute your efforts, encouragement and determination for actively participating in the socio- economic growth of the nation”, she further stressed.
While welcoming the women to the ceremony which was attended by governor’s wives from the 17 southern states of the federation, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, commended the First Lady for her effort in encouraging Nigerian women to embrace farming, disclosing that his administration places much emphasis on agriculture.
He made it clear that agriculture was one of his administration’s 4-point agenda, assuring that the state government would continue to encourage and support every genuine agricultural programme in the state.
Earlier in her brief speech, wife of the host governor, Mrs. Clara Chime who led other South-East governors’ wives to the well- attended event noted that despite the fact that majority of the southern people are subsistence farmers, their efforts are not recognized by government , pointing out that, about 70 per cent of all agricultural activities are done by rural women The Enugu State First Lady, however, regretted that despite the tremendous role played by women in the agricultural sector, they have continued to face a scores of obstacles, especially in the southern states of the country, listing some of such barriers to include lack of access to better technology of production and processing machines, non allocation of marginal lands to women, among others, pointing out that better ones are reserved for men in the country.
The occasion was graced by several women farmers’ groups, including the Nigerian Council of Women Society, among other women associations in Nigeria.
For officers and men of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the battle is not over until smuggling is over.
In the wake of Wednesday May, 8, 2024, the ever vigilant officers, acting on a tip-off, intercepted 177 sacks and 61 kegs of 25 litres containing petroleum products, valued at about N8.750,000million.
The items were intercepted along Isalu Creek, Badagry Waterway en-route Benin Republic.
While briefing newsmen, the Command’s Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, said: “This seizure is most economically significant to the Command at this period of scarcity of Petroleum Products, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in our cities, and shows the anticipatory posture in our response to economic saboteurs.
“At about 2:330hrs on Wednesday 8th May 2024, while on joint patrol by teams in the Command, credible intelligence was received of the movement of 2 boats laden with what was suspected to be petroleum products concealed in sacks. Upon receipt of the information, the team moved into Isalu creeks, Badagry waterway.
“On sighting the approach of the Officers, the smugglers took to their heels through the shore of the Creek. The loaded boats were then towed to the station at Badagry where preliminary examination was conducted and transferred to Western Marine Command Headquarters, Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos.
“Careful examination at the Command Headquarters revealed that the arrest was found to contain One Hundred and Seventy Seven (177) Sacks and Sixty One (61) Kegs of 25 Litres Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) containing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred (12,500) Liters with a total Duty Paid Value standing at Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N8,750,000) only”.
Bamisaiye noted that the action of the smugglers is a contravention of Section 245 & 254 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which the service, through Western Marine Command, is responsible for enforcing.
“The Command, under the leadership of Compt. PK Bamisaiye, is poised more than ever to rid the waterways of all acts of smuggling and economy sabotage for the benefit of the growth of economy of Nigeria”, he said
Bamisaiye said so far, no suspect was arrested in the Command’s anti-smuggling operations.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Petroleum products being sought by motorists have disappeared from virtually all filling stations within Lagos and its environs, but are now booming in business in retail outlets.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that while the product could not be got at some of the petrol service stations, activities are in top gear in the local retail outlets where the price has gone beyond the reach of users.
It was also gathered that in some filling stations supplied with the products, preference are often given to retail outlet operators by petrol attendants against the consuming public.
A source, directly involved in the business, said some petrol dealers are cashing on the irregular supply to divert the products to retail outlets where they could easily make their gains.
It was also gathered that some sales representatives in the service of major oil marketing firms indulged in the diversion exercise because of their personal interest.
At the retail outlets a liter goes for N950,00 against the normal N760,to N800 at some stations.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has confirmed the appointment of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs) of Customs during its 59th regular meeting.
The meeting, chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, was held at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja last Tuesday.
National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, gave details of the confirmed appointments as: O.O. Peters (DCG /Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (rtd); B.M. Jibo (DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation); and B.U. Nwanfor (DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives).
Others are: S.A. Bomia (DCG, Commander Training and Doctrine Command); and C.K. Niagwan (DCG, Tariff & Trade).
The Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) are: B. Imam (ACG Board); A.A.S. Oloyede (ACG, Trade & Tariff); S.K. Dangaldima (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’); A. Abdul Azeez (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘D’); S.A. Yusuf (ACG, Human Resource Development); N.P. Umoh (ACG, Training and Doctrine Command); C.O. Obih (ACG/Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘C’); and S. Chiroma (ACG, Strategic Research and Policy).
The new appointments, according to the statement, were made to fill the vacancies created by some senior officers who recently retired from the Service, noting that the principles of federal character, seniority and merit guided the appointments approved by the board.
“These appointments are a testament to the officers’ exemplary services and dedication to the Nigeria Customs Service. The NCSB remains committed to providing strategic leadership to ensure effective and efficient service delivery for optimum performance”, he said.
While thanking the retired members of the management for their meritorious services, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated the newly confirmed officers and charged them to redouble their efforts to ensure the service attains greater heights in its mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation amongst others.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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