The Federal Government of Nigeria issued registration certificates and sales permits to authorised fertiliser dealers on Thursday.
Non-licensed operators were not permitted to make, blend, import, market, or distribute fertilisers throughout the country, according to the registration and licences.
The certificates and sales authorization were delivered to the fertiliser operators in Abuja by Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Umakhihe, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, FMARD, Fausat Lawal, said the government had trained and deployed fertiliser and agricultural pesticides quality control inspectors to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the inspectors were currently working with relevant security agencies to ensure compliance with the provisions of stipulated regulations in order to protect farmers and industries.
The permanent secretary urged the suppliers of fertilisers to ensure that only licensed agro-dealers were allowed to buy their products and to strictly abide and operate within the provisions of the regulations.
Umakhihe said, “A grace period of two months has been granted for those who have not obtained theirs (certificates and permits) as failure to do so will have their facilities sealed off with resultant prosecution.
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“This is to reiterate that the ministry through its authorised agent will continue to seal premises of fertiliser adulterators as it was witnessed in Kano and Adamawa states once the certificate of registration and sales permits are concluded.”
Umakhike said agro-dealers (distributors) that fulfilled the same requirements would be issued with the sales permit.
“It should also be displayed in a strategic area on their facilities pointing out that the National Fertiliser Quality Control Act was in the process of repealing to accommodate agricultural pesticides in the Act,” he stated.
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