Over 100 vehicles missing from the ministry of Agric says Minister

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has revealed that over 100 vehicles were carted away by some yet to be named officials, He, however, said that the vehicles were being recovered with the help of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Lokpobiri also did not give details on the stolen vehicles, but said he will get a brief from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to be abreast with the latest development

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on Thursday 23rd February revealed that over 100 vehicles were carted away by some yet to be named officials.

Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Acting EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri

Nigerian Tribune reports that Lokpobiri who disclosed this in Abuja, did not mention the suspects, but he however said that the vehicles were being recovered with the help of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to him, “Over a hundred vehicles were taken away from the Ministry of Agriculture by some people, we are recovering them with the help of EFCC, and they are returning them.”

The Minister made this revelation when the inaugurated National Technical Working Committee on agro-export standard and certification, requested a duty vehicle from the ministry to facilitate their operations.

Lokpobiri also did not give details on the stolen vehicles, but said he will get a brief from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to be abreast with the latest development.

Inaugurating the committee, Lokpobiri also noted that it was painful to know that though Nigeria was ahead of Ghana in most agro products, yet Nigerians go through Ghana while exporting because of its adherence to global certification standard.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Vincent Esegbe, the Director General of Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Services, said that exporting agro products from Nigeria have continued to hit the rock due to non-existence of standard certification in the country.

He also noted that the National Technical Working Committee will ensure that the objectives of the committee is not compromised, bearing in mind that exporting agro products from Nigeria will further enhance profitability in the sector.