The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh claims that some Nigerians use their cellphones to import pizza into the country from London.
Audu Ogbeh made a shocking revelation when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Agriculture on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.
According to him, local farmers are being affected by the ‘annoying situation’ of Nigerians importing everything including pizza from London. He said:
“Every time you bring in a shipload of rice, you also bring in a shipload of unemployment, because you are transferring your wealth to sustain other economies. Somehow, Nigerians didn’t notice it, so we became a nation of importers.
“Toothpick costs us $18 million; tomato paste costs us $400 million to import. Meanwhile, a basket in town is less than N2000; the farmers are losing money because the processors don’t have enough funds to set up factories. Two factories have started off. I am sure by the end of next year we can comfortably tell the importers of tomato paste to stop.”
“We import milk, sugar, toothpick, toothpaste, pencil, items we don’t make; Vegetable, lettuce, cabbage come from South America through Dubai and arrives here for sale.
“There are also Nigerians who would rather have the imported item if it is not imported, it is not right, it shows status, class, that they only eat imported things.
“Do you know, sir, that there are Nigerians who use their cellphones to import pizza from London; they buy in London and bring it on British Airways in the morning to pick up at the airport. It is a very annoying situation and we have to move a lot faster in cutting down some of these things.”
Watch the video below:
When Minister for Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said that Nigerians use their Cellphones to order pizza from London… my Uncle (Gbolahan Dada) his face was totally priceless… like are you okay sir?😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/RISSG8R80Q
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) March 27, 2019