By Okon Bassey in Uyo

Through heavy investment in
agriculture, the Federal Government
has now reduced the cost of importing
food items into the country by $2 billion,
the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi
Sambo, said in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
capital.

The Vice-President spoke at the
weekend during the official opening of
Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize
Economic Forum in the state, saying
reducing the cost of importing food into
the country was achieved by
encouraging the production of between
1.5 million and 2 million tonnes of rice
locally.

Also, Sambo disclosed that the federal
government had released a take-off
grant of N220 billion to support small
medium enterprises in the country.
According to him, in the last three
years, the federal government has
established 12 new, functional
universities in the country to address
specific areas of development.

On the control of Ebola Virus Disease,
he said President Goodluck Jonathan
took the outbreak of the disease
seriously and assured of the country’s
readiness to support other countries in
the world to eradicate the disease.
Commenting on electricity supply,
Sambo pointed out that the President
had prioritised power supply and hoped
that by 2018-2020, Nigeria would
produce about 20,000 megawatts for
transmission.

He lauded the State Governor, Chief
Godswill Akpabio for hosting the
foundation which coincided with the
celebration of 100 years millennium goal
and its 54th independence anniversary
and for transforming the state through
such major infrastructure as roads,
airport, sea port, security, health and
education, among others.

Governor Akpabio had thanked
President Jonathan and Vice President
Sambo for the proper handling of Ebola
disease and the sending of about 500
health workers to Sierra Leone to help
control the disease.

Earlier, the President of Millennium
Excellence Foundation, James Victor
Gbeho, had said the forum was meant to
generate ideas for the development of
Africa, saying the choice of hosting the
forum in Uyo was to showcase the
achievements of Akwa Ibom State and to
let the world have a glimpse of
infrastructural development for other
states and countries to emulate.



www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-reduces-cost-of-importing-food-by-2bn/191060/

Hmmmnn, that is good but it does not affect the price of food items in the market na. They may even increase the price of goods in the market

Does this reduction also reduce the price of garri in the market

And still prices don't reduce.

Irony of the highest order

jeffizy:


I'm yet to eat a local rice.
I wonder where it is located.

you may have ate them but you wont notice because of their improved packaging

GEJ working snc his days as a governor, n haters hating snc he became 9ja President.

Dis two fool can lie ooo, how come u did all dis things u mention and rice price per bag is still skyrocketing, jonahdumb think everybody is dumb as he is

Ait, una want make i goo late to Church service abi?# ‾̴̴͡͡  ‾̴̴͡͡ U

Good to hear they have increased support for Agriculture in Nigeria by almost same amount?

At least, this would encourage food production. Job for we Agric and Biosystems Engr student in the nearest futuRe. Info like this at an early hour of Sunday dey sweet me die

The price only reduced on the headlines ,garri and rice and beans will never reduce, in nigeria what Goes up can never come down unless there is a serious general riot

Wow. Wish we can see the positive impact of this.
Meanwhile this statement is not very clear. Shouldn't reduction in cost mean that govt is encouraging food import by making it cheaper to import?
Looks like someone is trying to say that the import of food has reduced, not the cost.

9ja......... i pity the generation unborn

These people tho. Smh.

There is a difference between "reducing the cost of importing foodstuff" and reducing the cost of food imports. I guess the later is what they meant.

jeffizy:


I'm yet to eat a local rice.
I wonder where it is located.

I heard that the popular Mama Gold rice is locally produced. there's also olam and other brands in the market.

Another means for GEJ and his cabinet to make more Money #number6 richest africa President

jeffizy:


I'm yet to eat a local rice.
I wonder where it is located.

I am currently eating local rice in my house, even today Sunday.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His
courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless
His name. Psalm 100:4
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U banned me but within 10minute I created a new
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U can go ahead to ban me again assholes.....but I
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my mind this site will be hacked. and u and seun will
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#ANGRY

hmm

oathman:
9ja......... i pity the generation unborn

stop

Good move that will motivated local farmers to put more effort.

And still expensive

Good news for business owners, start ups and unemployed graduates.

Iolo:


I heard that the popular Mama Gold rice is locally produced. there's also olam and other brands in the market.

And a bag is being sold for 10,900.

Lies,lies,lies. I am sure this achievement is only on paper.

wiringdpt:
And still expensive

I'm telling you o, I bought half bag yesterday for 5450, a bag is 10,900.
#RubbishPeople