By Babatunde Jimoh


Major palm oil producers in the country have urged the federal government not to yield to the request of some foreign companies operating in the country to import crude oil palm into the country under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) as this will lead to dumping of palm oil in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON); National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) and Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), in Lagos during the week, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, the Chairman, Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, POFON, said they have received with shock the clamour by a company that has refused to invest in the Nigerian oil palm value chain to import 95,000 MT of crude palm oil, 50,000 MT of Stearin in bulk, 60,000MT of Crude Palm Olein and 50,000MT of Palm Fatty Acid Distillates under the West African Trade Liberalization Scheme(ETLS).

ETLS is the main ECOWAS operational tool for promoting the West Africa region as a Free Trade Area.

He said acceding to the request is tantamount to economic sabotage, adding that any attempt or plot to import refined products amounts to smuggling, “because refined vegetable oil products remain on the import prohibition list.”

Ibru said: “It is in this light that we see the ongoing plot by the company as an attempt to procure official stamp to smuggling and commit economic crime against Nigeria.”

He disclosed that the current tariff regime of 35 percent (10 percent duty and 25 percent levy) on importation of palm oil and the inclusion of palm oil in the list of commodities that do not qualify for CBN FOREX allocation have been protective of the industry and at the same time the stimulant and tonic for growth.

“It has brought about phenomenal growth as witnessed in new plantings and processing capacities across the country. Moribund oil palm plantations have bounced back in production and smallholder planting has spread far beyond the traditional oil palm belt to now include the fringe states like Kogi, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.”

Consequently, he urged the government to remain steadfast in sustaining the policies in the face of mounting pressure from speculators and rent seekers in the industry.

Also speaking during the meeting, Mr. Fatai Afolabi disclosed that all available statistics point to the fact that the Crude Palm Oil (CPO) export data recorded for some West African countries are actually exported into Nigeria from CPO that were imported into those countries.

“ In essence, these West African countries are transit points for CPO destined for Nigeria. By so doing, these countries earn their own duty, whilst they and the Nigerian importers deny Nigeria from earning revenue. This should not be allowed to continue and we say a big no to ETLS crime.”

He added that the ETLS antics some of the companies operating in Nigeria is an indirect way of applying for waivers to import CPO and prohibited items, “which government has said several times that import waivers will not be granted and we pray that this resolve be maintained.”


www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/palm-oil-investors-raise-alarm-dumping-wafrican-countries/

dominique FOD puskin naijacutee lalasticlala

It's that bad for this Country.

Is there anything we don't import in this Country?

Is there a product we are entirely self-dependent on. . .NONE.



Some Politicians will even import prostitutes.

Just Imagine; even ordinary fish we cannot produce. Why will they not dump their flooded Cars in Africa when our meats and beefs have too much oil.
After, you will say you are not miserable.

Y e nor go fall..... Ever since Nigeria sold dier destiny to Malaysia.....every tin go soon fall lyk Simi breast

It must not happen please.



#StopPalmOilImport

what is crude oil palm?? crude oil must have effected the brain of this journalist.

How in the name of God would someone want to import palm oil into Nigeria bikonu?

I am 100% sure that the government won't listen to your plea cus OUR OGA AT THE TOP are not getting any commissions from you. Those people will get something into their pockets

But Nigeria by virtue of being a prominent member of the union, also agree to the convention of free movement of people, goods and services. That means some benefits we must have gained also came with its challenges

When u guys are bent on mixing oil with chemicals for more profits

fineboynl:
what is crude oil palm?? crude oil must have effected the brain of this journalist.

Unprocessed oil gotten from palm fruits.

I almost fainted the day I saw Ada palms in Imo state, it's like the whole of surulere, but Rochas prefer to build statue instead. 2019 is a battle in Imo state

fineboynl:
what is crude oil palm?? crude oil must have effected the brain of this journalist.

"Crude" is "unrefined". Journalist was right. You could have done some checking before abusing the journalist.

solreb:


"Crude" is "unrefined". Journalist was right. You could have done some checking before abusing the journalist.

why cant he use palm kernel or oil palm seed instead

Okoyeeboz:


Unprocessed oil gotten from palm fruits.

ok, but it called "pulp"

Palm oil...
How will it not be abandoned when the only oil we know here is CRUDE.
Go and see what Malaysia is doing with palm oil...

MrHistorian:
It's that bad for this Country.

Is there anything we don't import in this Country?

Is there a product we are entirely self-dependent on. . .NONE.



Some Politicians will even import prostitutes.

Olodo oshi can't you read? The man said tge company want to use other west African nation to import oil palm with the help of free trade pact among ECOWAS state, go and read the part where he said 10% levy and 20duty is been paid on oil palm import of which this product importation can not have access to FOREX

The country's protectionist tendencies are ruinous


Local industries need to be competitive rather than shielded against a protective wall.

Many industries find it hard to obtain sufficient quantities of palm oil due to this ban. This may lead to de-industrisation and setting up plants in countries in West Africa with easy access to these raw materials

fineboynl:
why cant he use palm cannel or oil palm seed instead

Oga, that's the exact technical term. Crude Palm Oil (CPO). It is then refined into stearin and palm olein. Consider yourself educated now and stop attacking the journalist who obviously knows better than you.

You can also google it so you can be sure.

fineboynl:
ok, but it called "pulp"

Pulp is different from CPO.

Afoochekk1914:
I am 100% sure that the government won't listen to your plea cus OUR OGA AT THE TOP are not getting any commissions from you. Those people will get something into their pockets

Who placed the ban on importation of palm oil in the fist place?

tribalistseun:
I almost fainted the day I saw Ada palms in Imo state, it's like the whole of surulere, but Rochas prefer to build statue instead. 2019 is a battle in Imo state

which war the man will give you guys money and will install his in law and continue to rule by proxy while peoples suffering continues, so oga no make mouth o, money speaking.

This is stupid protectionism by the Nigerian producers. If your product has quality and good pricing, won't you be the ones out doing them. This type of mumuism won't work. Na so una do, all the food prices raise because govt dey protect una. And until today, products are still high eg rice, egg, beans, etc. No time, the govt should open the borders to all agricultural produce from everywhere in the world as long as they pass the safety test.

Rubbish, instead them to be directing the right anger to the govt, they want to make peoples lives hard like the govt. Blame the govt for light and good transportation efficiency, which is why your competitors are out bidding you.

Broadly speaking, eventually and even mathematically, Nigeria does not have enough farm land. Nigeria is just barely bigger than the state of Texas. Imagine putting half of the USA population in Texas. Sometimes in life and reality, one must sacrifice, agriculture will sacrifice for homes and industries. I am not saying we won't have agriculture, but i am saying a comfortable agriculture is unattainable, that is why the mallams walk around with their cows because there is no organized way to eat without damaging crops. It is time to do the small one we can, and really partner with other African nations on farming rights or just collabos.

with nigerian collaborators as usual

winterfell007:
But Nigeria by virtue of being a prominent member of the union, also agree to the convention of free movement of people, goods and services. That means some benefits we must have gained also came with its challenges

But the products in question are not even produced in those West African countries rather imported into those countries with its final destination...Nigeria.

Mr Ibru sir you people should rather work on producing more CPO at a cheaper and economical viable way for these companies to refine so we can have the refined products such as stearin, Olein , P fatty acid distillate, and RBD oil and even export same. By so doing we can create more jobs for our jobless youth and this foreign company will also not run away to a more economical viable region. In summary increase your capacity and make it economically viable.......

Realsman405:
By Babatunde Jimoh


Major palm oil producers in the country have urged the federal government not to yield to the request of some foreign companies operating in the country to import crude oil palm into the country under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) as this will lead to dumping of palm oil in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON); National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) and Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), in Lagos during the week, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru, the Chairman, Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, POFON, said they have received with shock the clamour by a company that has refused to invest in the Nigerian oil palm value chain to import 95,000 MT of crude palm oil, 50,000 MT of Stearin in bulk, 60,000MT of Crude Palm Olein and 50,000MT of Palm Fatty Acid Distillates under the West African Trade Liberalization Scheme(ETLS).

ETLS is the main ECOWAS operational tool for promoting the West Africa region as a Free Trade Area.

He said acceding to the request is tantamount to economic sabotage, adding that any attempt or plot to import refined products amounts to smuggling, “because refined vegetable oil products remain on the import prohibition list.”

Ibru said: “It is in this light that we see the ongoing plot by the company as an attempt to procure official stamp to smuggling and commit economic crime against Nigeria.”

He disclosed that the current tariff regime of 35 percent (10 percent duty and 25 percent levy) on importation of palm oil and the inclusion of palm oil in the list of commodities that do not qualify for CBN FOREX allocation have been protective of the industry and at the same time the stimulant and tonic for growth.

“It has brought about phenomenal growth as witnessed in new plantings and processing capacities across the country. Moribund oil palm plantations have bounced back in production and smallholder planting has spread far beyond the traditional oil palm belt to now include the fringe states like Kogi, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.”

Consequently, he urged the government to remain steadfast in sustaining the policies in the face of mounting pressure from speculators and rent seekers in the industry.

Also speaking during the meeting, Mr. Fatai Afolabi disclosed that all available statistics point to the fact that the Crude Palm Oil (CPO) export data recorded for some West African countries are actually exported into Nigeria from CPO that were imported into those countries.

“ In essence, these West African countries are transit points for CPO destined for Nigeria. By so doing, these countries earn their own duty, whilst they and the Nigerian importers deny Nigeria from earning revenue. This should not be allowed to continue and we say a big no to ETLS crime.”

He added that the ETLS antics some of the companies operating in Nigeria is an indirect way of applying for waivers to import CPO and prohibited items, “which government has said several times that import waivers will not be granted and we pray that this resolve be maintained.”


www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/palm-oil-investors-raise-alarm-dumping-wafrican-countries/

dominique FOD puskin naijacutee lalasticlala

.

MrHistorian:
It's that bad for this Country.
Is there anything we don't import in this Country?
Is there a product we are entirely self-dependent on. . .NONE.
Some Politicians will even import prostitutes.

Like the Goggled One who imported Indian apples that killed him before his kwarupshion-fighting Fulani brother said he did not steal our money


www.nairaland.com/attachments/3040085_abachaaa_jpegb9b6ace1c002846314b86b3375f466a0


www.nairaland.com/attachments/3441929_img20160227001458_jpeg3fecf627d6b5447631b348f011e59b5a

Hummm this is so shameful.

Seriake Dickson gave out Bayelsa palm to fulani herdsmen, when youths protested with Ann Kio Briggs in support of the youths, Seriake sent thugs to beat up everybody and steal phones

Competition ,

Why are our local producers scared of competition, the government should not ban the product, they should allow the oil importers.

Our indigenous producers already have home advantage. Am sure if our indigenous farmers should bring down there price, no one will patronise the investors.


Last year, when there was dollar shortage, farms purposely increase yam price , ( saying other produce cost is high they must increase there's).



We need competitors for the benefit of Consumers and the populace @ large.