The influx of imported banana into the country is posing a threat to the livelihood of local banana farmers and traders.
An investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday showed that the foreign banana which is increasingly gaining a foothold in Abuja, is imported from Cameroon and Togo.
Sellers and buyers who spoke to NAN attributed the high patronage, in spite of its cost, to the fresh appearance, smooth skin, size and taste.
The investigation showed that the commodity is being sold at strategic locations such as banks, shopping plazas and fruit markets, among other public places.
Ibrahim Ahmed, who sells the fruit in front of Basam Plaza where the ANPP Secretariat is located in the Central Business District, told NAN that the imported banana sold faster, compared to the local variety.
He said that a bunch of five fingers costs N200 as against N70 for the local variety.
Mama Ali, another seller by Ahmadu Coommassie House also in the Central Business District, corroborated Ahmeds views.
Ali said that the banana arrives here unripe but the way it is stored in the cold warehouse and its unique taste makes it very appealing to buyers.
Malam Zakari Yau who sells fruits at the Maitama Fruit Market, said the foreign banana could stay for three weeks before being declared unfit for human consumption.
Yau also agreed that imported banana attracted more patronage than the local ones.
He, however, said that the development posed a serious threat to the local banana industry and the entire economy.
He called on the government to stop the people responsible for the banana imports to enable the local ones make the desired impact.
What does it take for a government to get the specie of this kind of banana into the country and empower the unemployed to go back to farm so that we produce it instead of importing? he asked.
Yau, who has a masters degree in Economics, said it was the same variety that Shonga Farms in Kwara State produced but not enough for export.
He appealed to the three tiers of government to as a matter of urgency, provide all that it takes to reduce unemployment and produce sufficient food for the people.
When NAN visited the Mararraba Orange Market where the warehouse is located, the director was said to be out of town on official assignment.
At the market, one of the labourers, Mal Iliya Dan Azumi told NAN that he and his colleagues used to offload at least 11 articulated vehicles of the imported banana daily.
He said vehicles came from Togo and Cameroon, adding that buyers came from Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.
One of the customers, Nana Ilya, also said she was content with the N2,500 to N3,000 profit she made from the sale of the foreign banana in three days.
Margret Timothy who resides in Karu area of Abuja, said she preferred to buy the foreign banana than the local ones because imported banana had a longer shelf life.
Yusuf Lawal, a civil servant living in Jikoyi area, said the imported banana was very good to his body system, adding that it helped him clean his bowel every morning.
Anytime I take it after my meal in the evening, I empty my bowel in the morning and start the day very fresh, he said.
Mr Nicholas Jack, an agricultural engineer with Embee Farms in Kaduna, expressed regret that in spite of the vast agricultural land, Nigeria was still importing fruits after 50 years of nationhood.
Sometimes, I feel like crying for this country; just imagine, other countries came here to learn.
A few years later, they took the lead; what is our problem? he asked, adding:Our leaders should fear God and do what is right.
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