The Federal Government has indicted the two sole
manufacturers of urea blend of fertilizers in Nigeria, following the discovery
that terrorist sect Boko Haram used nitrate-based fertilizers to develop the
Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDS).
This comes on the heels of the arrest of five security
operatives as well as other actors linked to incessant bombing of oil
facilities in the Niger Delta, where it was discovered commercial explosives
and accessories were used for the attacks. They were found to be culpable for
diverting about 9000 kilograms of high explosives and 16,420 pieces of
detonators for illegal use.
The government has further warned that any individual or
company that operates outside the confines of legitimacy or legality will have
itself to blame, adding that it will not listen to any influence peddler on
behalf of any company that decides to sabotage national security.
The National Security Adviser, Brig. Gen. Babagana Mungono
(rtd), who briefed the press with officials of the two fertilizer manufacturers
– Notore Petrochemical and Indorama Eleme Petrochemical in attendance – read
the riot act, expressed government’s displeasure at their activities, adding
that they were also contributing to food shortage in the country.
He said that despite government’s effort through relevant
authorities to grant them sole license as well as to facilitate necessary
importation of raw materials and secure distribution networks to the two, they
were discovered to have been exporting 71 per cent of the product to the
detriment of the nation’s economy.
According to Mungono, ”At this point the good will showed
by the government of this country will not be taken for granted. The fact that
we are in a difficult and complicated situation in terms of our economy and
security, does not mean that companies and individuals with vested interests
will take the good will of this country for granted…”
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