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Tag: Palm Oil

  • NDLEA arrest General Overseer for drugs hidden in kegs of palm oil

    NDLEA arrest General Overseer for drugs hidden in kegs of palm oil

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, for alleged drug trafficking.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy (NDLEA), Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udoka Udezuka and their freight agent, Mary Obasi were arrested over attempt to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments.

    He said that the drugs were concealed in kegs of palm oil through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja,  Lagos, to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

    Babafemi added that Nnodu was arrested on Feb. 1  at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly Church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, following the arrest of the two suspects.

    He said the suspects, Obasi and Udezuka, were arrested on Feb. 9, at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk.

    Babafemi said that the drugs were weighing 14.90 kilogrammes and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.

    “In her statement Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large, as the persons that gave her the consignments for export.

    “She said this was after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction,” he said.

    Babafemi said that the suspect, spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church GO, said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets.

    He also said that Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.

    “The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business.

    “Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education,” he said.

  • Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria

    Food prices continue to rise in Nigeria

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that prices of selected food items increased in October.

    This is according to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch Report for October, released in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The report said that the average price of 1kg onion bulb on a year-on-year basis, increased by 32.56 per cent from N306.07 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N405.72 in Oct. 2022.

    “While on a month-on-month basis, 1 kg of onion bulb increased to N405.72 in Oct. 2022 from N397.18 recorded in Sept. 2022, indicating a 2.15 per cent increase,’’ the report said.

    The report showed that the average price of 1kg rice (local, sold loose) increased on a year-on-year basis by 17.45 per cent from N415.03 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N487.47 in Oct. 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item increased by 3.40 per cent in Oct. 2022 from N471.42 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ the report says.

    The NBS said the average price of 1kg of tomato increased on a year-on-year basis by 30.79 per cent from N347.47 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N454.46 in Oct. 2022.

    Also, the report showed that on a month-on-month basis, 1 kg of tomato increased by 2.10 per cent from N445.12 in Sept. 2022.

    Also, the report showed that the average price of 1kg brown beans (sold loose) increased by 17.95 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from N478.76 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N564.69 in Oct. 2022.

    The report showed that the average price of Palm oil (1 bottle) increased by 33.22 per cent from N727.21 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N968.76 in Oct. 2022.

    “It also grew by 4.47 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N927.34 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ the report said.

    Also, the average price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) stood at N1, 106.08 in Oct. 2022, indicating a 33.99 per cent increase from N825.46 recorded in Oct. 2021.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it rose by 2.81 per cent from N1, 075.89 in Sept. 2022,’’ the report said.

    The report revealed that the average price of 500g sliced bread increased by 36.68 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N382.77 recorded in Oct. 2021 to N523.16 in Oct. 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the item increased by 2.23 per cent from N511.74 recorded in Sept. 2022,’’ says the report.

    The report showed that at the state level, the highest average price of rice (local, sold loose) was recorded in Rivers at N630.66, while the lowest price was recorded in Jigawa at N381.54.

    It said Ebonyi recorded the highest average price of beans (brown, sold loose) at N848.74, while the lowest price was reported in Plateau at N360.03.

    “In addition, Abia recorded the highest price of Vegetable oil (1 bottle) at N1, 484.31, while Benue recorded the lowest price at N650.89,’’ the report said.

    It said that Cross River recorded the highest average price of 1kg of onion bulb at N980.62 while Benue recorded the lowest price at N180.34.

    The report also showed that the highest average price for 1kg of tomato was recorded in Delta at N824.55 while the lowest price was at N166.67 in Taraba.

    It said the highest average price of 500g sliced bread was recorded in Abuja at N705.00 while Plateau recorded the lowest price at N310.00.

    The report said analysis by zone showed that the average price of 1kg onion bulb was higher in the South-South and South-East at N670.63 and N538.31, respectively, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-East at N212.83.

    It said the South-South recorded the highest average price of 1kg rice (local, sold loose) at N545.03, followed by the South-West with N519.53, while the lowest price was recorded in the North-West at N435.06.

    Also, the report showed that the South-East recorded the highest average price of Palm oil (1 bottle) at N1, 101.04, followed by the South-West at N1, 096.17, while the North-Central recorded the lowest price at N742.62.

  • 10 killed, 36 injured as palm oil laden truck plunges into ditch in Osun

    10 killed, 36 injured as palm oil laden truck plunges into ditch in Osun

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Osun, says ten persons have lost their lives following an accident that occurred on Gbongan-Osogbo expressway.

    The Sector Commander, Mrs Kudirat Ibrahim, made this known in a statement issued by Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, the command’s spokesperson, in Osogbo.

    According to reports, the accident occurred at 1:20 a.m., on Saturday, opposite Ataoja Overhead bridge, along Abere, Osogbo-Gbongan expressway.

    Ibrahim said said 36 others had sustained various degrees of injuries in the lone accident, in which 61 persons were involved.

    “An articulated vehicle, a blue truck Volvo with number plate KMC 35 ZJ, loaded with Palm oil, lost control on the Ataoja-overhead bridge.

    “The vehicle, which was heavily loaded with Jerry cans of palm oil and over 60 passengers, was trying to ascend the ramp.

    “The vehicle lost control, rolled backwards and fell by the side into the drainage, throwing off the jerry cans on passengers and killing some in the process,” she said.

    She said the injured had been taken to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching (LAUTECH), and Asubiaro Hospitals, both in Osun.

    The Sector Commander appealed to motorists, especially carriage and articulated vehicles, to always follow road safety regulations.

    Ibrahim urged road users to avoid flouting safety rules that often endangered their lives and those of other innocent citizens.

    She, however, said the command had in a swift response, also deposited the corpses in a morgue and cleared the highway to avoid gridlock.

  • Nigeria spends $500m annually on palm oil importation – CBN

    Nigeria spends $500m annually on palm oil importation – CBN

    The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Godwin Emefiele on Monday said that over five hundred million dollars was being spent annually on importation of palm oil.

    Emefiele said this at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Palm Oil Value Chain held in Abuja.

    The meeting was attended by the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Edo and Abia. Also, the managers of Dangote Farms, Flour mills, United Food Industries and Dufil Frima Foods Plc, among others were at the meeting.

    Emefiele said that it was a sad fact that the country was still importing palm oil in spite sufficient arable land in the South-South and South-East regions of the country to farm it.

    He recalled that in the late 50’s and 60’s, Nigeria was not only the world’s leading producer of palm oil, but it was also the largest exporter of palm oil, accounting for close to 40 per cent of the global market share.

    He said that right now, Malaysia and Indonesia were the top producers of palm oil and Nigeria the fifth, after getting their seeds and learning how to cultivate oil palm from Nigeria.

    “This conversation is indeed important as it forms part of our overall strategy to reduce our reliance on crude oil imports, diversify the productive base of our economy, create jobs and conserve our foreign exchange.

    “Despite placing oil palm in the forex exclusion list, official figures indicate that importation of palm oil had declined by about 40 per cent from the peak of 506,000 Metric Tonnes (MTs) in 2014 to 302,000 MTs in 2017.

    “This indicates that Nigeria still expends close to 500 million dollars on oil palm importation annually and we are determined to change this narrative.

    “We intend to support improved production of palm oil to meet not only the domestic needs of the market, but to also increase our exports in order to improve our forex earnings,” he said.

    To this end, Emefiele said that all the state governors in South-South and South-East, Nigeria had agreed to provide at least 100,000 hectares each for large scale oil palm farming.

    He said that with the help of the state governments, Nigeria could reach self-sufficiency in palm oil between 2022 and 2024 and ultimately overtake Thailand and Columbia to become the third largest producer over the next few years.

    “As part of our Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP) and Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), the CBN will work with large corporate stakeholders and small holder farmers to ensure availability of quality seeds for this year’s planting season.

    “We will also ensure the availability of agro-chemicals in order to enable improved cultivation of palm oil.

    “We will also work to encourage viable off taker agreements between farmers and large-scale palm producing companies.

    ” Loans will be granted through our ABP and CACS programs at no more than 9 per cent per annum to identified core borrowers,” he said.

    The CBN governor reiterated that the restrictions earlier placed on the importation of textiles and other ready-made clothing was for the good of the economy.

    He said that in due course, the CBN would introduce polices to address challenges in the cocoa, cassava, beef/cattle ranching, dairy and fish sectors.

    ” Soon every region of our beloved country will feel the positive impact of our intervention in the agricultural sector.

    “These efforts we hope will not only enable us to conserve our foreign exchange, but also create jobs on a mass scale.

    “As these measures begin to bear fruits, we are very optimistic that our states will become more economically viable,” he said.

    Also, the Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said the state was currently cultivating about 70,000 hectares of land of oil palm.

    He also spoke on the need to revive the moribund Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), in Benin to improve investment in research and production of quality oil palm seeds.

    “We should understand that for meaningful investment to come into the oil palm industry, we have to think of other incentives to encourage manufacturers to turn oil palm to other things.

    “What I mean is that palm oil can be used to manufacture margarine, soaps, toothpaste and other things.

    ” We must also think about how to create incentives for those who are currently in the business to explore all the uses of palm oil to create job opportunities for our people,” he said.

    Also, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr Udom Emmanuel, spoke on the need to educate oil palm small holder farmers on the use of improved seedlings as a way to improve output.

  • Palm oil company commissions 11,400 hectares plantation in Edo state

    Riding on the wind of a conducive investment climate guaranteed by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government in Edo State, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has commissioned an 11,400-hectare oil palm plantation covering over 10 communities in the state.

    The commissioning of the plant held on Wednesday, at the Okomu Extension 2 Plantation in Ovia South West Local Government Area, was witnessed by captains of industries, Benin high chiefs and members of the companies’ host community.

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that the state is pursuing far-reaching reforms to open up the state for investments, assuring that the state is committed to attracting even more investors.

    He commended the Federal Government for taking the right decision in 1976 to open up the space for private investment in oil palm sector in Nigeria, noting “since the move, Okomu Plc has been standing tall. We are made to understand that the yield per ton on the farm is highest in Nigeria.”

    According to the governor, “We are grateful that my predecessor took the right initiative to sign the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the expansion project, despite the opposition to the move at the time. We will continue to support the effort of Okomu Plc as long as it continues to expand.”

    Noting that the speed of development at the plantation was evidence of the conducive business climate in the state, he said, “You can see that this is quite extensive. But, more importantly, it is second to none in Africa. They were able to prepare and cultivate 9,000 hectares of land in one year. Can you imagine if we had more companies expanding at this pace; the amount of jobs and economic activity that they will create. I think this is a feat and it is amazing.”

    He assured that he was going to work with the governments of oil palm producing states in Nigeria, such as Ondo and Cross River states, to move for the establishment of an oil palm council in Nigeria.

    He also said that the Edo State government is intent on creating a master plan for agricultural development in the state.

    “Within the first two years since we came on board, we have initiated a number of projects, such as the Benin River Port project, Edo-Azura Power Plant, Benin Industrial Park as well as the refinery project. We want to ensure that Edo State becomes an economic hub in Nigeria. We are excited that the Okomu plantation will be producing raw materials for industries in the Industrial Park,” he added.

    Chairman, Board of Directors of Okomu Plc, Gbenga Oyebode SAN, said that government support has been tremendous, noting, “We won’t be here today if we hadn’t been allocated this land in 2014 by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. We have planted since then 9,000 hectares of land.

    “We expect to plant the whole 11,000 hectares by next year. Then in 2020, we will start milling. For us, the state government has been phenomenal. It shows that the state government is not just in full support of agribusiness but of commercial enterprise in Edo State.”

    Noting that the company was keen on supporting the governor’s job creation drive, he said, “We expect to contribute to the governor’s job creation drive and we have already started. Right now, the expansion has created 2,000 jobs. Our expectation is that before we get to 2020, we would have created 4,000 jobs. There is a multiplier effect.”

    Managing Director, Okomu Plc, Graham Hefer, said that the company is committed to contributing to the state and Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, boosting productivity and impacting lives.

    He said that the company has a robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) progamme that runs into millions of naira per annum, noting that the host communities have been worthy partners in progress.

     

  • Senate seeks ban on importation of palm oil into Nigeria

    The Senate on Tuesday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to ban importation of palm oil into the country in order to protect local production as well as encourage farmers.

    This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion entitled: “Urgent Need to Halt the Importation of Palm Oil and its Allied Products to Protect Palm Oil Industry in Nigeria.’’

    In a lead debate, the sponsor of the motion, Sen. Francis Alimikhena (Edo-APC), decried importation of palm produce into the country.

    Alimikhena expressed concern that importation of palm kernel and allied palm products are threats to Federal Government’s campaign on diversification of the economy through increased agricultural production and exports.

    He said that Nigeria imported about 450, 000 tonnes of palm oil to the tune of N116.3 billion in 2017.

    “Nigeria was the world leading producer of palm oil at independence, but unfortunately, Indonesia and Malaysia have overtaken us and we are now importing palm oil.

    “Malaysia which is widely believed to have collected its first seedlings from Nigeria some decades ago, is now exporting palm oil products to us.

    “The government must reverse this trend with copious investments in the local palm industry and the protection of local producers from unnecessary imports,’’ Alimikhena said.

    While acknowledging that Nigeria is endowed with the land and manpower to boost palm oil production, the lawmaker emphasised that the focus should be directed toward returning to pre-independence status in palm oil production.

    “We have no business importing palm kernel or any oil palm product from any country.

    “At independence, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. More than 70 per cent of the population was engaged in agriculture.

    “Apart from various food crops produced in the country, Nigeria was a major producer of palm oil/kernel, cocoa, groundnut and rubber.

    “But following the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in the 70s, agriculture was neglected,’’ Alimikhena said.

    He added that the importation of the product was harming the local palm industry and depleting foreign reserve.

    “This is also threatening the viability of the industry into which many Nigerians have sunk huge sums of money in support of the government’s export promotion drive.

    “If the palm industry is fully developed, it will guarantee mass employment and boost our foreign exchange earnings,’’ he added.

    Contributing, Sen. Theodore Orji (Abia-PDP) said there was need to establish a special fund to encourage local production of palm oil in the country.

    He also expressed concern that many oil production plants in the country were moribund.

    According to Orji, palm oil used to be a major income earner for the country, but unfortunately many plants are dead.

    On his part, Sen. Jibrin Barau(Kano-APC) called for introduction of policies that would be targeted at encouraging local production of cash crops.

    Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano-APC) also urged the Federal Government to ban importation of cash crops that can be produced locally.

    “Also there is need for the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to invite the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) on why it has failed to deliver on its mandate,’’ Kwankwaso said.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said that the importance of reviving the country’s palm oil industry cannot be overemphasised.

    “There is need for this sector to be properly positioned to play its role as one of the major income earners for the country.

    “When the palm oil sector is revived, it will boost employment,’’ Ekweremadu said.