Tanzania has taken a major decision that could slow down tourism, imposition of security levy of $5 on every air passengers.

The new levy, which takes effect on October 1, is meant to help improve airport security installations and safety services including perimeter fences and scanning machines.

Tanzania Airports Authority director-general Richard Mayongela said foreign travellers boarding aircraft at major airports in the country will pay $5 while those on domestic flights will pay $2.

The security levy is targeted at enhancing the development of airport infrastructure, and stabilising and strengthening the safety of our airports, said Mr Mayongela.

However, airline executives say the new levy will make air transport in the country expensive, adding that several taxes and fees are already being charged. They fear it may scare away potential customers.

The current departure tax for domestic flights is Tsh13,000 ($5.7) while international departure tax is Tsh112,101 ($49) per passenger.

Alexander Van de Wint, a KLM official in Dar es Salaam, said airlines had sold tickets for up to the end of the year and asked the government to postpone the levy until January 2019.

Chief executive officer of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators Sirili Akko told The EastAfrican that the levy works against the governments goal of increasing the number of tourists.

M Akko said a reduction, if not abolition of all the fees, levies and taxes on auxiliary services in the tourism sector would have maximised returns from the countrys tourism and wildlife sector.

Tourism is Tanzanias leading foreign exchange earner and a key economic sector.

The economy earned Tsh4 trillion ($2 billion) from the sector last year, according to the Tanzania Tourist Board.

This surpassed earnings from gold, which brought in Tsh3 billion ($1.28 billion) in the same period.

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Tanzania-to-tax-air-travellers-from-October/2560-4777352-2u2bo5/index.html

Source: NAN

Poultry farming, just like every other aspect of Agriculture, is a very gainful business to venture into. The opportunities for making money from it are quite abounding; from the meat to eggs, droppings and features, the number of products/by-products that can be gotten from breeding domesticated birds is really blossoming. However, to make it a profitable venture, there is a need for one to engage in the best practice and that entails having the right set of tools available to start up the business. One of the essentials is to have a housing system in place. This is why we have decided to review two commonly used intensive housing systems in poultry farming; the systems under review here are the battery cage system and deep litter system.

The battery cage system
This housing system is characterized by the breeding of domesticated birds in a compartmentalized space that is, cage which is usually made of metal mesh. Aside the space occupied by the bird, the cage also normally features a gutter wherein eggs [that have been laid by the hen] roll into and troughs for providing the animal with feeds and water. There are different types of battery cage with a variety of designs. Despite the fact that this type of housing system is widely embraced by poultry farmers, its use does arouse some controversies as animal rights activists see the system to have negative impact on the welfare of the birds.

Pros

• Space optimization: The battery cage housing system is especially recommended for poultry farmers who may not have so much space available for the deep litter system. The possibility of having 60 – 120 birds per unit (of the battery cage) ensures that the farmer makes the most of the land area available to him.

• Promotes better management: The well-planned arrangements of birds under this system makes it easy for the farmer to keep records of his stock, and also monitor the health of the birds without hassle. Cleaning of the breeding space can be done with ease and the birds have better access to feeds and water.

• It is more hygienic and minimizes the incidence of disease infestation. The design of the cage ensures that droppings fall out of it through the opening at the bottom thus the birds do not have to put up with excreta for long. Again, keeping birds in this system helps the farmer to better manage and/or control the spread of diseases.

• Reduces loss: Losses that could arise from cannibalism, diseases and malnutrition are put in check under the battery cage housing system. Hence, the poultry farmer gets to have more returns on his investment in the long run.

Cons

• Restricts the movement of the bird: This is about the major reason why animal rights activists have been campaigning against the use of the battery cage system. Birds kept in cages rarely have room for exercises such as wing flapping, dust-bathing, nesting and other physical activities that can promote their healthy well-being.

• Leads to birds having cuts in the feet: This is another issue that is often reported when birds are kept in battery cages. But this can be properly addressed with the employment of quality metal mesh [as well as credible machinery] for the fabrication of the cage.

• Somewhat expensive to set up: Compared to the deep litter system, the battery cage housing is pretty expensive to set up and manage. Nonetheless, it is yet cost-effective when you consider the benefits derivable from it.

The deep litter system
The deep litter system involves the use of materials such as chopped straws, groundnut kernel and saw dust as bedding on the floor of the pen where the birds are bred. The system is indeed economical but it does come with some challenges and can be limiting in terms of the number of birds that can be reared at a particular point in time.

Pros

• It’s economical; it does not require so much capital to set up, and it is not as labour intensive as the battery cage system.

• Gives the birds enough room to move around. Provided it is well managed, and overcrowding is effectively put in check, the birds’ movement is not restricted as one would have it in the battery cage system. Plus, birds housed inn the deep litter system are very active and can easily mingle with one another.

• The litter used as beddings in this system can serve as a sort of protection for the birds during hot or cold weather.

Cons

• The rate at which diseases spread is really high with this system since the birds get to mingle together; they can easily get infected when there is any incidence of disease outbreak.

• The feeds and water are not always evenly distributed thus the growth rate [that are of same age] may be severely affected.

• In the event of aggression, the probability of cannibalism can be very high when birds are bred under this system. There is a likelihood of the bigger stock overpowering the smaller one.

• Record keeping could prove daunting in this case. Again, the eggs produced in the deep litter system are dirty in most cases.

Conclusion
Though concerns have been raised regarding the use of the battery cage system, it remains the better of the two intensive systems under review here. It is more profitable and will ensure that poultry farmers are well able to effectively manage his business. It is however important that consideration be given to the space available for the bird in the cage. A cage built to the specification – of 147.6’’ X 147.6’’ with a height of 17.7” – of the European Union should be a good fit.

The organised labour has served warning of an imminent nation-wide strike over Federal Government delay in the implementation of a new national Minimum Wage.

Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) gave the warning in a communique issued after its meeting on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the organised labour, made up of the NLC, TUC and ULC had on Sept. 12 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to state an amount to enable the minimum wage committee conclude its sitting.

Labour had collectively demanded for N65,000 per month as the new National Minimum wage for all Nigerian workers as harmonized by organized Labour.

Ajaero said that if the government failed to meet their demand on the expiration of the ultimatum, it would collaborate with other labour centres and Civil Society Organisations to embark on a nation-wide strike.

We shall no longer be obliged by this time to give any further notice to the government before embarking on the action.

By this communiqu we order all our affiliates and state councils nation-wide to move to the final level of alert in their preparation for the proposed nationwide strike, he said.

The labour leader said that a new national minimum wage was desirable and possible, adding that lack of patriotism, greed and corruption was the bane of a reasonable wage.

Meanwhile the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has empowered the National Administrative Council (NAC) and its leadership to carry out all necessary actions in conjunction with other stakeholders to ensure the achievement of the minimum wage.

Source: NAN

Captain of Nigerias Super Eagles, John Mikel Obi and Coach Gernot Rohr disagreed on whether Croatian Luka Modric should be crowned as Best FIFA Player of the year.

Modric was Rohrs first choice, according to the details of the voting done by national captains, coaches and media men.

But Mikel Obi chose Lionel Messi as first choice, and French player Kylian Mbappe as the second. Modric was Obis thirds choice. Rohr also picked Mbappe as second choice and Belgium and Chelsea player Eden Hazard as his third choice.

The Nigeria media man, Christian Okpara who voted picked Ronaldo, Eden and Modric as first, second and third choices.

Egyptian captain, El Hadary Essam voted Mohamed Salah, Luka Modric and Ronaldo, as his choices.

Egyptian coach, Javier Aguirre Onainda Javier agreed with the captains first two choices, only differing in making French player Antoine Griezman, his third best player.

Modric was also the first choice of Argentine captain, Lionel Messi, who also picked Mbappe and eternal rival, Ronaldo as second and third choices.

Eden Hazard, captain of Belgium picked Modric as first choice, just like Armenian captain, Arsenals Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Brazils captain, Miranda de Souza Filho Joao picked Ronaldo, Mbappe and Messi as his choices, in descending order.Colombias Falcao was for Modric, just like Wales captain.

Other national captains that backed Modric were those of Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, India, Israel, Senegal, Spain, Korea Republic, Kosovo, UAE and USA.

Modric was the second choice of Germanys captain Neuer Manuel.

Modric himself picked team mate Varane Raphael, Ronaldo and Mbappe as his first, second and third choices.

*Story updated with more choices made by national captains.

Source: NAN

By Wandoo Sombo

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday ordered All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct fresh elections for the office of National Organising Secretary (NOS) within 30 days.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the order in a judgment on a suit filed by Sen. Osita Izunaso, the plaintiff and a contestant for the office of NOS in the recent APC elective convention.

Izunaso had asked the court to determine whether the election into the office of National Organising Secretary of APC was marred by violence leading to the disenfranchisement of delegates from some states.

He further wanted the court to ascertain whether as a result of the disenfranchisement of some delegates, APC was right in declaring Mr Emma Ibediro winner of the election since it was inconclusive.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Ibediro were named as defendants in the matter.
Izunaso told the court that some thugs loyal to Ibediro, numbering up to 100, disrupted the election into the office.

He said that they broke the ballot box making it impossible for votes of delegates from Jigawa, Adamawa, Anambra, Abia and Imo to be counted thereby rendering the election inconclusive.

He claimed that if the votes of those delegates were counted, they would have bridged the 290 vote margin which Ibediro defeated him with.

According to Izunaso, APC erred by going ahead to announce Ibediro as winner of the election in spite of the violence, thuggery and irregularities recorded.

The court agreed that exhibits before it proved that the election was marred by violence and thuggery, irregularities and non-compliance with the provisions of the constitution.

It further agreed that the election did not follow the Electoral Act and the guidelines made by the party for the convention.

The court further noted that the defendants had not presented an effective defence to the claims made by the plaintiff and as such it was bound by the evidence before it.

On the allegations that the thugs acted on the authority of Ibediro, Dimgba said it was not clear on whose authority the thugs acted but that what was clear was that their actions disrupted the election.

The court also said that INEC failed in its duty as an election monitor, adding that its dereliction of duty was evident in its monitoring report.

In the report, INEC said that the elections were conducted in line with guidelines of the 2018 APC elective convention and so it failed in its monitoring function with respect to election into the office of the NOS.

He therefore ordered that APC should within 30 days, pursuant to the plaintiffs alternative reliefs, conduct a fresh election for the five states that were disenfranchised.

He also ordered INEC to monitor the repeat election as the body empowered to monitor the smooth conduct of elections in the country.

According to him, the duty of officers of the commission as election monitors is not to entertain themselves but to ensure that the elections comply with provisions of the law.

Izunaso had asked the court to declare him winner of the post of NOS but the court was of the view that while his complaints were well founded, it was better to order fresh elections in the affected states.

Source: NAN

By Johnson Eyiangho

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Tuesday expressed concern over some recent developments in ongoing operations being conducted by the army, especially Operation Lafia Dole in the North East.

Buratai, who spoke while declaring open the 2nd and 3rd quarter combined Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja.

But we must not relent in spite of those setbacks, he said.
Buratai, therefore, implored all commanders to brace up to the challenges that come with leadership.

He said: We should remember that the hallmark of a great leader is to turn setbacks to victories.

We should all strive to make our impacts felt at this crucial time and not allow the hands of progress to be pulled down.

I expect to see effective leadership at all levels of command which must permeate down the ladders.

According to him, in the military, good leadership remains a fundamental factor in achieving effective command and control at tactical, operational and strategic levels.

He said that it was, therefore, highly desirable rather than essential for the Nigerian army training institutions to give leadership training the desired attention.

You are all aware of the weak leadership by some junior commanders and its impact on the conduct of operations.

I challenge all our training institutions to make deliberate efforts to change the tide, the army chief said.

He, however, noted that ongoing operations in different parts of the country to tackle the Boko Haram terrorists, farmers/herdsmen clashes, armed banditry, cattle rustling and other crimes had recorded tremendous successes.

He said the successes must be sustained and consolidated, assuring that the Nigerian army would continue to remain steadfast in the discharge of its responsibilities and providing aid to civil authority.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that remnant of the Boko Haram terrorists group in the last two weeks attacked army locations at Damasak and Gudumbali all in Borno North.

The attacks were interpreted in some quarters as resurgence of the insurgency.

However, Buratai disputed the claim, saying that they did not signal so but occurred as the noose was being tightened against the terrorists and their logistics bases.

The Operation Last Hold, designed to finally degrade the insurgents in Borno North and Lake Chad Basin, and facilitate the return of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes is ongoing in those areas.

The quarterly conference is held to appraise developing security situations with a view to fashioning ways to deal with them to ensure peace for national development. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Afonne

Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) says 18 fertiliser blending plants across the country have been revived under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) introduced by President Muhammadu Buharis administration.

The President of FEPSAN, Mr Thomas Etuh, who said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, stressed that the resuscitated plants were now operational.

He recalled that only six, out of the 32 fertiliser blending plants existing in the country, were functional at inception of the Buhari-administration in 2015.

We then had six fertiliser plants working at 10 per cent capacity but with the introduction of PFI, we moved to 11 plants in the first phase and today, 18 out of the 32 plants are engaged in this programme.

At the end of last years season, we closed with 12 fertiliser blending plants because WACOT Limited, in collaboration with the Edo State Government, added one plant to the 11 we had in the first phase.

About five plants are being evaluated to meet up the standards before we enlist them, and I can also tell you that because of this programme, we have five new fertiliser blending plants being set up in the country.

We have one each in Zamfara, Ajaokuta in Kogi, Akwa-Ibom and Funtua in Katsina State, while the one in Kaduna is at the point of inauguration.

The plants in Ajaokuta (Kogi) and Zamfara should come live by the end of the year, while that of Funtua in Katsina State might come up by first quarter of next year (2019).

So, I think these new five plants should be up and running by the first quarter of next year, he added.

Etuh said that Nigeria would soon be reckoned with in area of fertiliser production, considering the amount of money that was invested in the industry in the last three years.

He added that Nigeria would soon be an exporter of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertiliser.

About 63 per cent of the raw materials are locally available in the country; the materials are produced by some companies.

We have limestone granules with calcium produced by West African Fertiliser Company in Okpela; we have the Urea produced by INDORAMA and NOTORE in Onne, Rivers State.

So, I know that in the next two to three years, Aliko Dangotes fertiliser plant will start production and other are also coming up. Currently, Nigeria is a net exporter of Urea-based fertiliser.

With the Aliko plant coming on board and INDORAMA increasing to a second line, we will be producing about 7 million tonnes of fertiliser. About 70 per cent of the fertiliser would be for exports, while the remaining 30 per cent would be used within the country, he said.

Etuh, who is also a PFI committee member, said that FEPSAN was working hard to ensure that every farmer cluster had a blending plant to ease product transportation costs and facilitate a reduction in fertiliser prices.

He said that the fertiliser blending plants in Niger and Plateau were to service states in the North Central geopolitical zone, while the fertiliser plants in Lagos were to cater for states in the South West and South East zones, as well as Kwara which as in the North Central zone.

The whole idea is to get people to build plants around a cluster so that it helps with cost of transportation to achieve that price target we are looking at, he added.

Source: NAN

By Vivian Ihechu

As the World Contraception Day (WCD) is observed on Wednesday, September 26, critical health issues such as maternal deaths, preventing an imminent population explosion and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will come to fore.

Also, Family Planning has also been proven as an assured way of preventing unwanted pregnancies, abortions and most of all, maternal deaths.

The WCD brings to mind the need to continually improve awareness of all contraceptive methods available and enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

The annual worldwide campaign envisions where every pregnancy is wanted and the barriers that prevent young people from using sexual health services must be dissolved.

Contraception or birth control is a device or drug designed to prevent the process of pregnancy after unprotected sex.

There are different kinds of contraception that act at different points in the process, from ovulation through fertilisation to implantation, even though each method has its own side effects and risks.

At a Family Planning Summit in London on July 11, 2017, the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with its partners and private sector pledged to achieve a modern contraceptive rate of 27 per cent among all women by 2020.

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) provides a measure of population coverage of contraceptive use, taking into account all sources of supply and all contraceptive methods; it is the most widely reported measure of outcome for family planning programmes at the population level.

The Federal Government also made several other commitments, including to increase its annual allocation for contraceptives to 4 million dollars, ensuring total disbursement of 56 million dollars to the states through its Global Financing Facility and International Development Association (IDA) World Bank loans.

The federal Government promised to initiate curriculum and youth-friendly services in health facilities and other outlets, collaborating with line ministries to ensure the provision of age-appropriate Sexual reproductive health (SRH) information to youth through the Family Life Health Education.

Also, it pledged to improve access to family planning services in difficult-to-reach areas and among disadvantaged populations, foster positive attitudes about planning families and work to reduce socio-cultural barriers to use of family planning services.

However, experts and stakeholders still decry the countrys low CPR, diverse barriers to accessing it and lament the consequences.

According to them, lack of access to and information on contraception leads to unplanned pregnancies, unwanted children, abortions, high rate of school dropout, depression and maternal deaths.

Dr Essien Ukoh, a Gynaecologist and Family Planning expert said: Nigeria in particular remains a focus for increasing contraceptive use as it is one of the most populous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria has a high total fertility rate (TFR), estimated to be between 5.5 and 5.7 for women of reproductive age (1549). Low rates of contraceptive use are also pervasive in Nigeria.

Approximately 15 per cent of married women report using contraceptives and 16 per cent report an unmet need for family planning services, according to the Demographic and Health Survey NDHS 2013.

Rates of contraception in Nigeria have stagnated, remaining approximately 9 per cent between 2008 and 2013, he said.

A study, Contraceptive practices in Nigeria: Literature Review and Recommendation for Future Policy Decisions by Emmanuel Monjok, Andrea Smesny, John E Ekabua and James Essien, also noted that the CPR for contraceptive use in Nigeria was low.

This rate is very low in spite of the high rate of sexual activity and widespread awareness of the various contraceptive methods among Nigerian adolescents and youths.

As a result, there are many unintended pregnancies and illegal abortions contributing to a high maternal mortality ratio, which seems to indicate a large unmet need for contraceptive use.

Research evidence identify the various factors that contribute to the low prevalence of modern contraceptive use in Nigeria, with the most common factor being the myth about the side effects of modern contraceptives.

However, what is lacking is the political will in Nigeria to provide family planning programmes on a much larger scale, using community-oriented approaches and communication programmes to help change the myth about the side effects of modern contraceptives, the study says.

According to the study other barriers to using a contraception method include lack of awareness, lack of access, cultural factors, religion and opposition to use by partners or family members.

The study also showed that in Nigeria, unintended intercourse was the primary cause of unwanted pregnancies and many women with unwanted pregnancies decide to end them by abortion.

The consequences of these abortions are grave and can be life-threatening, often leading to maternal death.

Abortions account for 20 percent to 40 percent of maternal deaths in Nigeria, the study said.

Also, Public Health Scientist, Mrs Suzanne Bell, said the abortion rate by women of reproductive age in Nigeria had risen between 1.8 and 2.7 million.

The rise isas a result of unintended pregnancies and majority of these abortions are considered unsafe, hence the need for increased awareness and access to family planning, to protect the lives of women.

A Performance Monitoring and Accountability (PMA) 2020 survey in 2018, showed that in 2017, the annual incidence of likely abortions in Nigeria was 41.8 per cent per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49, which is nearly 1.8 million abortions.

When including information related to the experience of respondents closest confidants, the rate of likely abortions in Nigeria rose to 2.7 million, she said.

According to Bell, women living in rural areas, women with no education and women who are poor were the most likely to have had the least safe abortion.

Dr Morenike Ukpong, the Coordinator of New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS), advised government to develop policies and guidelines that will promote access to contraception by adolescents in the country.

Female adolescents are more at risk of having unintended pregnancies and unwanted births that can lead to postpartum depression, feelings of powerlessness and reduction in overall physical health.

As it is, contraception access and its promotion in Nigeria is limited to married women.

Its association with family planning makes the public, community and health care providers think of contraception for use only among couples who are thinking of spacing children.

While there are clear guidelines and programmes that promote access of women to contraception, there are conflicting guidelines on access and programmes for sexually active adolescents to contraception, she said.

Mrs Funke Gbadamosi, a mother of four who resides in Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that though she is married, she did not use any form of contraceptive.

I have heard of many side effects and that discourages me; perhaps, one day, I will be convinced to use a method, she said.

Dr Omasanjuwa Edun, the Lagos State Team Leader, NURHI 2, advocates educating youths and adolescents on the knowledge of contraception as adolescent pregnancy had become a daunting problem in Nigeria.

Studies have shown the prevalence of unintended pregnancy among adolescents to be 23 per cent in the West, 36 per cent in the South and 26 per cent in the North-Central.

The inability of adolescents to access not just contraceptives but the necessary information when needed has also been found to be responsible for the unintended pregnancies in adolescents.

This often results in unsafe abortions, Edun told NAN.

Summarily, access and use of effective contraception provides both health and social benefits.

Experts have said that the benefits of contraception use are important and should be promoted because it reduces unintended pregnancies, complications of illegally induced abortion with its dire consequences and school drop-out.

Also, the risks of sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV will be reduced.

Source: NAN

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Keffi Development Foundation (KDF), a community-based organisation, has called for peaceful resolution of political differences between Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State and Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District.

The Vice President of KDF, Alhaji Lawal Maizabo, made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Maizabo, who said that the political disparity between the two most important political leaders in the state was needless and appealed for amicable resolution of the issue.

He said that until now, the two leaders had a robust relationship, exchanged visits, shared similar ideology and worked closely to bring development and dividends of democracy to the people of state.

He noted that difference of opinions among politicians was normal in democracy and it was in line with the tenets of democracy.

According to Maizabo, KDF as a strategic partner and stakeholder with desire for peace, progress and passion for the state, is duty-bound to intervene to soften the situation.

He said we consider our intervention imperative as stakeholders with quest for a greater Nasarawa State as the current political distinction is capable of polarising the people.

He, therefore, called for immediate peaceful resolution of issues at stake, stressing that the differences must be brought to a halt to ensure that the state continued to enjoy peace and tranquillity.

He added that Keffi Development Foundation (KDF) hereby calls for amicable resolution of the impasse to move our state forward and have a hitch-free general elections in 2019.

Maizabo advised Gov. Al-Makura to employ the political sagacity with which he used to resolve the political crisis that engulfed the state in the past.

He also called on traditional rulers, stakeholders and well-meaning citizens of the state to mediate between the two most respected leaders of the state.

This, according to him, will help to resolve their differences and ensure lasting peace and harmony in the state.

Similarly, Maizabo urged the National and State leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to settle the lingering political differences between the duo to enhance sanity in the party in Nasarawa.

He said that both leaders had contributed immensely to the progress and development of the state, saying KDF cherishes the contributions of Gov. Al-Makura and Sen. Adamu Abdullahi to the state and looks up to them as role models and leaders.

There had been arguments over who should succeed Gov. Al-Makura in 2019, as Sen. Adamus choice differed from that of the incumbent governor.

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The President of Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Mr Thomas Etuh has narrated how he rebuffed an invitation by President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the advancement of fertiliser value chain in Nigeria.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Etuh narrated the funny conversation that ensued between him and the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari who had called him to come for a meeting.

Etuh said that when the call came from Kyari inviting him, he thought it was fraudsters, and he vehemently told him off.

He explained that he rebuffed the call many times and advised the caller to go and get a job, not knowing that the call was genuine and was going to change the lot of farmers and fertiliser producers as well as suppliers.

One weekend, I got a call from the chief of staff to the president, Alhaji Abba Kyari that they wanted to see me. I thought it was a joke. So, I said I wasnt interested in looking for any appointment and I dropped the phone.

A couple of minutes later, he called back and asked if I was Thomas Etuh, I said Yes, I am.

Well like to see you, he said. I said Please! I have told you I am not looking for any appointment and I can hear your voice sounding like a very elderly person. So I think you should go and get a job to do and stop this 419, then, I banged the phone.

So while sitting with friends, we put the number on truecaller, and behold his name came up but I never bothered.

About an hour or two later, he put a call through again; I picked it and naturally, I apologized. He kept laughing on the phone and saying that he understands and if I can come because they want to have a meeting with me.

Eventually, I made the appointment for the meeting and the presidency was concerned about the price of fertiliser going up and what we can do to reduce the price.

And that discussion translated into the President setting up this committee of Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), which FEPSAN which I lead as a body was tasked to come back with a proposal and all hands were on deck, he said.

He said that government had been a very dominant player in the fertiliser market and everybody was selling to the government.

Etuh explained that upon taking over about 10 years ago, he worked hard to create his own market away from government and sell to farmers directly.

When this government came in, you all heard the problem of fertiliser all over the country and that was why I was called in for the meeting.

Because this programme was in the heart of President Buhari, he domiciled it in his office which was coordinated by the chief of staff himself.

We had the Governor of Jigawa as Chairman of the committee, we had the NNPC MD, we had the central bank Governor, we have the NSA himself, we had the Sovereign Wealth Fund in that committee and we had FEPSAN all serving in the committee which we work to coordinate this programme.

Now what did we do in FEPSAN. We spoke to our members and said this is a win-win thing. Reduce your profit margin and work on volume. Whatever you are losing here, you gain it from the volume.

The CBN governor brought a cost saving in terms of low cost of funds in single digits. Instead of us getting money at double digits, here we have money at single digits.

That cost reduction in finance was also transferred to the farmer. So because our cost of running is low, the farmer also benefits in that. So everybody plays their own role.

So what did we achieve with that? We had 6 plants working at 10 per cent capacity. Now with this initiative, in the first phase we had 11 plants. And today, there are 18 plants out of the 32 that are in this programme, he said.

Source: NAN