Furore over weevil-infested rice
The dust is yet to settle over the 1,800 bags of rice which the Oyo State government received from the Federal Government and attempted to return without success. While the state described the rice as weevil-infested and unfit for human consumption, the Nigerian Cu
Though the NCS is a federal agency, it operates in states and the Federal Capital Territory like others. The Oyo/Osun Area Command has operated from its Agodi, Ibadan headquarters for ages. The NCS’ response to the announcement showed it was embarrassed by the claim that the rice was unfit for human consumption. It expressed surprise that the release of the rice followed due process as officials of the state government led by the Commissioner for Agriculture inspected the rice on Monday, April 20, certified it okay and actually picked the ones they preferred the following day.
“That in line with the Federal Government’s effort to cushion the hardship in the country, the CGC had directed the distribution of relief items, including bags of rice across the country through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management as palliatives to the vulnerable in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Before leaving the command on their second visit, they pleaded to be given those from a section of one of the warehouses they considered “fresher” and this was granted. “The three states: Oyo, Osun and Ekiti took delivery of the bags of rice allocated to them, returned their landing certificates to show delivery to its final destinations. They also showed appreciation to the CGC for his magnanimity.
“The command is also aware that for whatever reason, some pictures of bad rice have been circulating the social media. We disassociate ourselves from such false images and we suspect foul play on the part of the handlers of these allocated 1,800 bags of rice. The state government may wish to dig deeper.
On whether the state government contacted the NCS to inform it of its discovery, Adisa explained that there was no need for any informal communication, stressing that the decision to return the rice was conveyed in a letter to the NCS on Friday morning before an open announcement was made later that day.
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