A Technical Expert to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on the National Cocoa Plan, Ayo Akinola, has said inter-agenc
He said, “On a scale of 1 to 10, I will rate them five. A lot has been done, but one of the issues here is the lack of inter-agency cooperation. In a recent survey that I did in the cocoa sector, we had about 27 federal ministries, departments and agencies involved in cocoa. That is a fiasco. Each of them has funding and overlapping mandates. This is not good for the economy.
“In the area of quality assurance, you have the federal produce agencies, you have the private inspection agencies, the quarantine services, you have the NAFDAC, SON, Customs, NPA, all of them involved in quality assurance. But between and across all these agencies, there is no cooperation between them. It is not seamless, and there is a lack of cooperation. This affects what government is doing in spite of policies and protocols that should support the production of cocoa in Nigeria.
He further stressed the need for proper awareness to increase local consumption of cocoa in the country, which will likely boost the income of cocoa farmers who have been struggling in the sector. The expert, who is also a Technical Adviser to the Ondo State Cocoa Council and the Nigerian Focal Point for the ICCO-led Africa Cocoa Exchange Feasibility Study, expressed confidence that the nation’s cocoa sector could be a major foreign exchange earner if properly harnessed.
He emphasised the need to put in place measures that will make Nigeria regain its position as the number one cocoa exporter in the world.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NBTE Seeks More Funding For Technical EducationThe National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has appealed to the Federal Government to allocate more funds to technical education in the country.
Read more »
Expert Charges Marketing Professionals On Tech Adoption, Financial PerformanceExperts have charged professional marketers to enhance their capacity by being technology savvy and also deliver finance performance marketing if they are to
Read more »
Indigenise Ajaokuta Steel To Resuscitate, Boost Profitability – ExpertThe group managing director of KAM Holding Ltd, an iron and steel manufacturing company located in Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr Kamoru Yusuf has offered
Read more »
Kanu's prolonged incarceration will make him a hero — Security expert - Punch NewspapersA security expert, Col. Hassa Stan-Labo (rtd.), has called on the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi
Read more »
Transfer expert, Romano confirms AC Milan's interest in ChukwuezeOsun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has enjoined residents of the state to cooperate maximally with the mosquito net distribution team in their various
Read more »
Etsako Central Stalwarts Allege Marginalisation In Federal AppointmentsLeaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako Central local government area of Edo State have called for an immediate end to the
Read more »