In a bid to ensure a sustainable fertilizer quality control system in Nigeria, the Federal Government is to implement the provisions of the 2019 National Fertilizer Act including the 5-year jail term for offenders.
Speaking at a public presentation of the Act in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, said the law was enacted to safeguard and protect the interest of the entire fertilizer value chain players.
According Nanono, the Act provides the enabling environment needed for fertilizer enterprises to grow as well as protect investments in the sector.
He said that ensuring supply of fertilizers and other farm inputs in the right quantity, quality, as and when due and at an affordable price would go a long way in increasing farmers productivity, enhance household incomes and by extension guarantee food security at all levels.
A legal practitioner and consultant, Yemi Akinseye-George, had at the presentation of the Act, said the dangers inherent in liberalising the fertilizer industry cannot be overemphasized as it exposes farmers to cases of adulterated products leading to poor yield.
Akinseye-George, speaking further, said that the Act has widened access to the court by extending jurisdiction to all high courts and magistrate court actoss the country, adding that there is the inclusion of the restoration justice measures to protect the interest of victims including lands and community.
In his words: “Without legal and regulatory framework, we see people that lack of adequate skills and as a result, we have more people selling and distributing products they know nothing about, and cannot provide advice when needed.
“For the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdulkadir Mu’azu, promoting a sustainable regulatory system is critical to the development of the fertilizer industry and the agriculture sector in general.
“The Act protects the farmers, against access to nutrient-deficient and adulterated fertilizers as well as short-weight bags of fertilizers.
“A person shall not sell any fertilizer or fertilizer supplement that contains destructive ingredients or properties harmful to plant growth.”
He further said that the law provides that “a person shall not operate or carry on business as a manufacturer, blender, importer, or distributor of fertilizer in Nigeria with an expired permit or certificate of registration.”