By Udeme Clement

The federal and sub-national governments in Nigeria have been called upon to invest in the export of  chilli pepper, watermelon and other agricultural produce in order to earn more foreign exchange for the economy.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tincan Island Port, Comptroller Yusuf Bashar, who is also a World Customs Organisation (WCO) resource person in capacity building,  said this in a chat with Sunday Vanguard, after a courtesy visit by members of Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), revealing that his Command has trained over 1,000 officers in  application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance cross border trade facilitation for economic growth and development.

File: Gov Ayo Fayose buying tomatoes and pepper at a market in Ekiti.

He said, “At present, the Federal Government has made importation of export machines for agric commodities zero duty to enhance export of these items to any part of the world.  The media should enlighten foreign and local investors on government’s effort in growing agriculture. Our economy can benefit from huge Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) inflow, capable of creating millions of jobs through creative media reports. The media has a crucial role to play in moving the economy out of recession, by informing investors on agricultural potentials, sea ports investments, export items and other investment windows that can attract businesses to Nigeria. We have a lot of agricultural produce that the world needs.  For example, watermelon from Nigeria is the best in the whole world. Also, the chilli pepper we have is needed in the western world during winter period.   Every State in Nigeria has agricultural commodities to export for revenue generation, if the potentials abound in the sector are adequately harness.”