Following the alleged importation of Indian garri into the country, the Federal Government has said Nigerians should be mindful of how they rush to buy and consume ‘anything’ imported into the shores of the country.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has however promised to liaise with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the infiltration of Indian garri into the Nigerian markets.
This was made known by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister said that it is “strange and ridiculous” that garri would be imported when there is enough supply of cassava and garri in the country.
He said that the country produces more cassava that India, adding that Nigerians must change their attitude towards imported goods.
“Whoever buys that kind of garri should be blamed.
“I have heard of it. I will find out by tomorrow (today) if NAFDAC indeed did certify any garri from India; unless it is some Indian companies packaging the garri here.
“Nigerians are too ready to buy anything imported. They will bring in apples and some of them have been preserved with ethanol which is not healthy for our consumption.
“Whoever is importing garri from India, something must be wrong with them. Why import garri when you do not know the conditions through which the garri was produced over there.
“ I have no powers to stop imports, but I can recommend to the Nigerian Customs that this is unreasonable. I produce and encourage Nigerians to eat what they produce because it is safer for them,’’ Ogbeh said.
TheNewsGuru.com recalls that some sections of the media reported the existence of NAFDAC certified imported garri from India in some departmental stores and open markets across the country.
NAFDAC has however, denied the certification of such imported agricultural produce.
NAN