Don't Miss

Ex-minister urges new govt to ban rice imports

By BusinessNews Staff on May 30, 2015

The new government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to stop the importation of rice as this will save the country billions of dollars annually.

A former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, stated that Nigeria should declare a five-year import ban on rice, during which it should produce enough to meet national needs.

Ugwuh, who spoke in Abuja, noted that during the five year period, the Nigeria Customs Service should ensure that the country’s rice sector is protected against smuggling, adding that there should be a viable rewards system to encourage patriotic zeal in producing rice locally.

He said, “We call for a total ban on rice imports for at least five years to enable Nigeria to produce its own food with the enormous natural resources and endowments we have. The nation can be self-sufficient in rice. We can eliminate food imports and save $9bn annually on wheat, rice, sugar, and fish.

“Nigeria cannot afford to waste such a huge amount and export vital jobs overseas, when massive unemployment is such a great challenge threatening our national survival. We can grow rice and save the over $2.6bn per year (that) we currently spend on rice imports.”

The former minister explains that Nigeria has suitable ecology to grow rice paddy in virtually all parts of the country.

He said with dedication, perseverance and national commitment, Nigeria could grow and process rice to meet its domestic needs, and indeed, export to other African countries.

[Punch]

headline