378 bags of ‘poisonous rice’ impounded in Ebonyi
•Govt suspends rice mill leadership
The Ebonyi State government has impounded 378 bags of rice suspected to be adulterated, it was learnt yesterday.
Senior Special Adviser to Governor Dave Umahi on Internal Security, Kenneth Ugbala, said the rice was seized on Tuesday and Wednesday when an investigating committee visited the market.
Ugbala, who chairs the committee, added that the market has been rid of all the suspected adulterated rice, and re-assured the people that Abakaliki rice is still safe and fit for consumption.
He, however, said the 10 shops where the adulterated rice was discovered will remain sealed pending the conclusion of investigations.
Commissioner for Environment Donatus Njoku said a staff of the ministry went to the market on Sunday and saw one of the millers mixing the rice in bags labelled as “not for human consumption” with others and re-bagging them.
The worker reported to him on Monday and he made preliminary investigations before reporting to the State Executive Council, which ordered the closure of the market and raised a panel to investigate the matter.
According to Njoku, the committee seized over 378 bags of the poisonous rice which was imported into the state from other parts of the country. Several persons were also arrested for the crime.
The leadership of the rice mill, headed by Joseph Ununu, has been suspended.
Ugbala, who announced their suspension, said: “An interim leadership will be set up to manage the affairs of the mill till further notice as nature abhors vacuum.”
He also debunked rumours that the government’s action was politically-motivated to prevent Ununu from pursuing his ambition to represent Abakaliki South State constituency.
It was alleged that the closure of the market and suspension of the leadership of the market may not be unconnected to the political battle in his constituency ahead of the 2019 election.
But Ugballa debunked the rumour, saying the government is only interested in saving the life of Ebonyi people and Nigerians who eat the rice.
The Rice Mill has also been re-opened after preliminary investigations.
Police spokesman Loveth Odah, who confirmed the situation, said: “One of the bags of rice has been sent to NAFDAC for analysis to confirm if they are poisonous. The Commissioner of Police, Titus Lamorde, has directed the matter to be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for proper investigation.” From The Nation.