I just thought I should remind some of us that everyone should be in the business of asking questions from our representatives in the government. When we do ask the questions, we are not necessarily bound to offer alternatives if we are not satisfied with our employees’ (the government) performance.
That’s simply because they offered to serve us and to whom much is given, the best is certainly expected.
Having said that, could we ask the government of Nigeria if the country has a strategic grain reserve? By the way, the strategic grain reserve is a government stockpile of grain for the purpose of meeting future domestic or international needs.
The question becomes pertinent in the face of the weevil infested rice, 1,800 bags, that was supplied to Oyo state by the federal government. I believe it’s because Oyo is ruled by an opposition party that the cat has been let out of the bag.
In other words, most of the other states might have been supplied rice that’s not ordinarily worthy to be served on dining tables. But then, since they falsely believe party loyalty is superior to being loyal to the people and the nation, they could have decided to be ‘suffering and smiling.’
Some nations go to the extent of buying excess from farmers to encourage them to farm during the next season. They then keep the excess as part of their strategic grain reserves. I learn if the excess is too much, some nations even go to the extent of destroying the excess of the excess all in order to stabilize their economies.
They pay the farmers the market price for their products and everybody is happy ever after.
What do we have in Nigeria?
We depend on goods seized by men of the Customs and Excise. The products may not be in the best of conditions. By the way, if we have a situation in which smuggling is reduced to a very minimal level, what are we left with?
In a situation where we have a large percentage of farm products rotting away since we lack good storage facilities, the case of the weevil infested rice should not be surprising.
But then, is COVID 19 not showing how gigantic we are among the committee of nations?
Alaru to nje buredi, awo ori e lo nje ti o mo!
The porter who chooses to eat bread is only eating his scalp!!
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