There are indications that the importation of wheat into Nigeria through the Lagos seaports is on a gradual decline, even as statistics have also confirmed that what is coming in now is lower than it used to be.
A breakdown of the statistics that was obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) shows that a total of 217,635 metric tonnes of wheat were imported in the month of July against the 373,513 tonnes that were recorded in June and 249,417 tonnes in May 2012.
There are indications that the importation of wheat into Nigeria through the Lagos seaports is on a gradual decline, even as statistics have also confirmed that what is coming in now is lower than it used to be.
A breakdown of the statistics that was obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) shows that a total of 217,635 metric tonnes of wheat were imported in the month of July against the 373,513 tonnes that were recorded in June and 249,417 tonnes in May 2012.
This figure also coincides with the recent pronouncement by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina that by 2015, the government will place a ban on the importation of wheat in order to boost local production. He said that Nigeria is spending N635billion annually to import wheat.
It would also be recalled that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had increased the import duty on wheat from 30 to 60 percent in his budget which took effect from July 2012, this is to encourage local manufacturers to boost cassava production, the president had said.
Investigation conducted by Shipping Position Daily confirmed that 16 vessels made it to the Lagos seaports with wheat in June, 14 in the month of May, while only six was recorded in the month of July.
Among the vessels, three berthed at the Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited [GDNL], two at Josep Dam and one at the Greenview Development Nigeria Limited [GDNL].
Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited [ABTL] recorded the highest tonnage with 129,135 which came in aboard MV Desert Rhapsody, Spring Eagle and Desert Victory, on the other hand, Josep Dam recorded 44,500 metric tonnes on two vessels namely: Nalinee Naree and Nikator, while Greenview Development Nigeria Limited [GDNL] handled 44,000 metric tonnes of wheat which came in aboard Sabrina 1.
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