Importation Tomato: Nigeria Loses N15b Annually- NARICT
Deputy Director, Procurement at the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Alhaji Bello Abubakar has disclosed that Nigeria is losing over N15billion annually to importation of processed tomato
Abubakar made the disclosure on Tuesday during the bidding of 2017 projects, held at NARICT in Basawa, Zaria, Kaduna State.
His words; “Nigeria is the leading producer of tomato in Africa and 13th in the world, yet the country is importing over 66 million tonnes of processed tomato, valued at over N15 billion annually, according CBN report.”
Abubakar said in its effort to reduce the huge amount lost annually from importation of processed tomato, NARICT had invented and developed tomato processing technology.
He appealed to governments at all levels, private organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to patronise the product to boost tomato cultivation and improve the production capacity of the institute.
NARICT Director however, lauded the efforts of Sen. Mohammed Ubali-Shittu, representing Jigawa North-East Senatorial District and Rep. Sama’ila Gadaka, representing Fune/Fika Federal Constituency of Jigawa for attracting such giant projects to their constituencies.
Five companies bidded for the projects, they include Beam System Limited, Attajiri Global Limited, Ngurno Investment Limited, AMST Shukrullah Limited and Gen-Tech. Power Supply Nigeria Limited.
