The federal government, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has put in place procedures to prevent Nigeria from becoming a rice dumping ground.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono at the sixth Feed Nigeria Summit.
According to the minister, the prohibition has benefited the country by fostering the growth of local companies and empowering local farmers.
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He said “We are not opposed to the importation of rice but protecting the country from being a dumping ground of rice. Togo, Niger and Benin do not produce rice but the products are from China, India and Thailand. At the onset of the directive, people were shouting that we are going to put Nigerians in hunger but if we are serious, four states can produce what we eat. Not only that, in Kano, there are no less than 40 rice milling companies with a capacity of 100 to 400 tons per day which has led to employment.”
He stated, “Through the National Agricultural Transformation and Innovation Plan, the federal government has continued to implement innovative measures to aid the development of the agricultural sector and improve the value chain.”
It was earlier reported that, Governor Obaseki made this assertion in his office while recieving the COAS during a courtesy call on the Governor on 24 August 2021.
Mr Obaseki added, that the operational expedience with which the Army, under the leadership of the COAS is taking on the insurgents, militants and violent separatists through joint efforts is an indication that peace and tranquility in Nigeria is not afar off.
The Governor further expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for contributing immensely to the sustenance of peace in Edo State. He lauded the Army for the support given to sister security services and other security agencies to curb cultism, criminality and communal clashes within the state. He pledged to continue to support the Army.
The COAS, who is on a working tour to 4 Brigage, Nigerian Army, expressed gratitude to the government and good people of Edo state for the support accorded the Nigerian Army, especially the construction of accomodation blocks at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin. He affirmed that the Nigerian Army will always respond when called upon; as it is one of her constitutional roles to aid civil authority, when called upon to do so.
