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ONDO CLAMPS DOWN ON COCOA ADULTERATION, CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT
The Ondo State Government, on Tuesday, destroyed bags of adulterants used to tamper with cocoa beans, seized from a cocoa merchant at Lipakala Junction, Ondo West Local Government Area.
The task force team, set up by Chief Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, intercepted a truckload of adulterants, including dried cocoa placenta, during a routine patrol.
Chief Odusanya stated that unscrupulous individuals were mixing dried cocoa placenta with cocoa beans to increase weight, thereby sabotaging the economy.
He vowed to make the state inhospitable for such operators, emphasizing that their actions damage the cocoa trade and tarnish the state’s image internationally.
The Permanent Secretary noted that many produce merchants support the government’s efforts to curb adulteration.
He appealed to the public to provide information on such activities, assuring that the ministry would take swift action.
According to a statement signed by the Head of Media and Public Relations of the ministry, Sola Omoboyowa, the suspect is expected to pay a fine, and the seized adulterants and vehicle have been impounded as a deterrent.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to discouraging adulteration in the produce business.
According to Mr. Philip Omotayo Akintorinwa, Assistant Director of Produce and Area Officer for Ondo West, a truckload of adulterants, including dried cocoa placenta, was intercepted at Lipakala Junction.
He said the truck was initially taken to Yaba Police Station for safekeeping before being transported to the Ministry in Akure for destruction.
Mr. Akintorinwa noted that if the adulterants had been mixed with cocoa beans, detection would have been challenging, and the adulterated produce would have gained more weight and would attract a high price due to its weight.
He attributed the adulteration to the high demand and price of cocoa in the international market, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to eradicating such practices in the state through the task force team put in place by the Permanent Secretary, Chief Segun Odusanya.
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