Okon Bassey in Uyo
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has stressed the need for exported foods from the country to always meet international standards or risk being rejected at the destination ports.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni gave the advice at a one-day technical session on addressing non-compliance with food safety standards in oil palm production held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom at the weekend.
She said the council was vigorously pursuing the economic agenda to enforce compliance in food standards by developing the capacity of oil palm value chain actors through seminars and workshops to achieve improved quality for market competitiveness.
Ayeni noted that oil palm exported from Nigeria in recent times has witnessed stricter restrictions imposed on them due to issues of non-compliance with standards at the international markets.
Exported foods, she maintained, must strive to meet international standards or face the risk of being rejected at the port of destination.
“Oil palm is an important agricultural commodity used globally in a wide range of products, and it is a major agricultural product in Akwa Ibom State. It is also regarded as the world most popular edible vegetable oil, with the global market worth of over $45 billion,” she added.
The MD declared that NEPC over time had implemented a number of programmes and evidenced-based interventions in the oil palm industry such as capacity building and training, sponsorship of stakeholders to study Malaysian model of operation and distribution of inputs to farmers aimed at ensuring efficiency and growth in the oil palm sector.
She stated that the council will continue to work with critical stakeholders to reposition the industry in the quest to return Nigeria as net exporter of oil palm.
Ayeni however appreciated the resource persons, participants and the stakeholders for their commitment, noting that with the knowledge gained from the seminar, Nigerian exportable products would gain acceptability, visibility, easy access to markets and confidence of international buyers and consumers.
Also, the Akwa Ibom state Co-coordinator, NEPC, Mr. Idongesit Essien described the council as a focal agency of the federal government entrusted with the development and promotion of the non-oil sector.
He said that in fulfilment of the council’s mandate, the one-state – one- product policy was created to empower states and their communities to maximise their locally available resources to achieve economic growth.
In line with the vision, he said Akwa Ibom State government through the Ministry of Trade and Investment/Akwa Ibom State Committee on Export Promotion recommended oil palm and seafood as priority products for inclusion in the national export basket.
He equally acknowledged the presence of other abundant resources in produce, solid minerals, manufacturing and services.
Essien however, lamented that while Akwa Ibom State is among major producers of oil palm, the state is yet to be counted among the major exporters of oil palm.
