WHEN A DOCTOR CRIES MORE THAN THE PATIENT

Various newspapers had it on front page that famine looms in Nigeria from January next year because grains were being massively exported out of the country.

They all were quoting the Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity Mallam Garba Shehu who reportedly raised the alarm during an interview with Pyramid Radio, Kano.

The Vanguard version of the story says Mallam Shehu said the alarm became necessary after the federal ministry of agriculture drew the attention of the president to it.

According to the version, mallam Shehu said about 500 truckloads of grains leave the country every week bound outside especially for export to neighbouring countries, and further away ones like Libya, Algeria and Brazil.

He reportedly added: " Huge demand for our grains in the global market is creating an excellent environment for the mindless export of Nigerian grains across our borders and unless this is curtailed, Nigerian markets will be bereft of food by January next year"

He even fingered the markets the exporters were operating from: Dawanau in Jigawa state, Barna in Borno, Ilela in Sokoto state and three main markets in Kebbi state.

Unfortunately, it is a case of the doctor in charge of a dying patient crying out of pain more than the patient (economy in recession) being treated.

Firstly, that Nigerians are now struggling to export all exportables, including grains, now means that the devaluation of the Naira is having the right effect and should the trend continue; foreign exchange stranglehold will be considerably loosened.

So why complain and try to label the operators as mindless; decoded unpatriotic elements?

Agreed, it is possible it is an act of sabotage, not a true attempt to earn needed foreign exchange. That is, someone somewhere could be deliberately exporting at whatever price to ensure that grains remain scarce in local markets and so deal a blow to Buhari's food production efforts.

Well, if that is the case treat them the way Niger Delta militants are being treated presently for economic sabotage. Send the military after them to impound their vehicles and if necessary gun them down.

It could also be that because of deliberate efforts to make it easier and cheaper for the average farmer to produce grains, the exporters now buy cheap and sell at very attractive margins

In that case, readjust the current subsidy or buy up the grains as they are being harvested to ensure that the local markets are not starved.

However, the real solution really is to ensure that the export trade is of the official type; that increased grain production is sustained year in year out; and that grain importation is reduced considerably.

To brand the exporters as mindless is counter productive and indeed gives the impression that the doctor has no idea of the pains the patient will go through as prescribed drugs, injections and dressings are administered.

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