ibironkeeniola 
The Federal Government has revealed that it is working towards paving way for a private sector-led fertiliser industry in order to expand the value chain.
According to the government, it would totally hands-off of the administration of the industry, as it would only play a regulatory role.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono in an interview with Daily Trust .
Nanono explained that the industry’s control has been a contentious issue in the last 30 to 40 years, hence the need to be pragmatic in handling its affairs.
This, he said, has led to the consideration to allow for a private sector-driven system, while the government concerns itself with quality control, price, delivery and availability.
The minister had previously projected that Nigeria would stop fertiliser importation by 2023, noting that the country was making giant strides in that direction, with the private sector as a key facet.
Speaking further, Nanono said the efforts were a testament to the fact that the industry’s operation could be left in the hands of the private sector.
“My position as a Minister of Agriculture now is that government should get out of the fertiliser space.
“Our role should be quality control, price, delivery and availability. This should be the only role of government. Why, because we now have over 32 blending plants in this country, about five to six more are coming.
“We are producing our own Uriah; even exporting. Indorama is now expanded from 800,000 tonnes to two to three million metric tonnes per annum.
“Notore is producing, Dangote is rolling out three million tonnes of Urea per annum. It is also going to have an NPK line of between 250,000 and 400,000 metric tonnes.
“We have more coming up in Osun and Jigawa. So why should the government bother itself with the issue of fertiliser? If you bring it back, it will be the same issue,” he explained.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA