Kano International Grains Market Debunks Rumour on Food Hoarding

 

The management of Dawanau International Grains Market in Kano State North West Nigeria, has dispelled speculations that dealers transacting business in the market are hoarding foodstuff to create artificial scarcity.

 

The Dealers also dismissed negative insinuations that, the traders are hiking the prices of food items arbitrarily to cause hardships to Nigerians.

 

Addressing journalists in Kano, the President of the Dawanau Market Development Association (DMDA), Alhaji Muttaka Isa explained that, the grains dealers only purchase the foodstuff from growers in various parts of the country, storing them in the market’s warehouses before selling them to their customers.

 

He said, “The various grains and other food items you see in these warehouses are the only ones in transit; they must be stored first before they are sold to our customers.

 

Storing the goods in the warehouses is essential to prevent them from being spoilt and also for convenient purposes.”

 

I want to inform the general public that governments and organisations purchase grains from us.

 

For example, the Federal Government of Nigeria buys grains from us, and organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) also buy grains from us and distribute them to IDP camps in Nigeria and elsewhere.

 

I wonder how these esteemed customers can buy from us if we are hoarding these grains.”

 

Isa appealed to Nigerians to disregard the rumour.

 

“So, I am appealing to the general public, particularly our business partners, to disregard the wicked rumour as it is baseless.

 

The truth is that we are genuine businessmen passionate about the progress and well-being of our customers as well the economic development of our dear nation, Nigeria.” the President added.”

 

On the issue of food shortage, the President of the Dawanau Market Development Association (DMDA), Alhaji Muttaka Isa identified insecurity as a major reason for the low harvest.

 

He urged the Nigerian Government to improve security and address challenges of transportation by ensuring an effective rail transportation network.

 

“We wish to use this opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to come into this to modify and regulate the activities for better output. 

 

“A standard rail transport system should be put in place to break the jinx of high transportation cost experienced by transporting the items by road. This will enhance the activities of the inland dry ports and ease the market operations.”

 

Dawanau International Grains Market is the biggest in West Africa supplying foodstuff to customers in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic, among other countries.

 

The food items include rice, millet, sorghum, beans and groundnuts which are largely grown in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

 

The market also stocks in crops such as Sobo, Sesame Seeds, Tamarind and Soybeans which are exported to Asia, Europe and other global markets.

 

Dominica Nwabufo