Vanguard (Lagos)
Tony Edike
6 July 2009
Enugu — SOME farmers and fertilizer dealers in Enugu state have petitioned Governor Sullivan Chime over the alleged hoarding of fertilizers procured by the state government for farming in the state for this year's farming season.
They accused some members of the Enugu State Fertilizer Procurement and Distribution Limited of allegedly hijacking fertilizers meant for farmers, a situation they said, has forced prices of the product up to the detriment of the end users.
In the petition by Mr. Maxim Nnaji on behalf Fertilizer Dealers and Farmers Association in Enugu State, the group said that the government's intention to boost food production in the state was being frustrated by the alleged illicit activities of the board members.
They maintained that the "Ogbo Asogwa led board does not have the interest of poor peasant farmers at heart, as their activities have sky-rocketed the price of fertilizer from government-approved rate of N2,700 to between N3,500 and N4,000 thereby defeating the essence of Federal Government's subsidy on fertilizer to states."
According to the aggrieved farmers and fertilizer dealers, over six hundred trucks of fertilizer had been procured by the state to enhance food production but regretted that even though government stores in the state were filled with the products, some 'thugs' were allegedly hired to seal up the stores and hijack the fertilizers, which they later sell above the approved price.
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