FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT IMPORTING ‘POISONOUS’ RICE,
SAYS PRESIDENCY
The Federal Government has described attempts by
unscrupulous individuals on social media linking the
government and Dangote group with a plan to ‘flood’ the
country with genetically modified rice (GMO) as extremely
uncharitable.
In real terms, the Federal Government in 2014 signed a
$1billion Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) for
investment in integrated rice project with Dangote Industries
Ltd. Further to this agreement, Dangote Industries Limited this
year cultivated over 8,000 hectares in Hadejia, Jigawa state,
creating over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for farmers who
are the major beneficiaries of the scheme.
In consolidation of the rice project of the Federal Government,
President Muhammadu Buhari administration is also in
partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and
other reputable companies to tap into the vast potentials in
the private sector and broadening the economic base of the
country.
The gains of the diversification drive especially in the
Agriculture sector are already yielding dividends as shown by
the recent statistics in the sector as published by the National
Bureau of Statistics.
These engagements will continue until the present
administration has laid a solid foundation for the economic
development of the nation.
It is therefore ridiculous that a government that is wholly
devoted to the generation of employment for Nigerians
especially through Agriculture will turn around to get involved
in an activity that will reverse the gains of the same
partnership.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said it repeatedly that, ‘’we
have the capacity to feed ourselves in Nigeria and even export
from what we produce in the country.” He has also said that
through the provision of N200 billion by the CBN for small
holder farmers and processors involved in local production of
rice and other grains, rice importation will hopefully stop in
the next three years.
It is unfortunate that while the Buhari administration is working
assiduously with well-meaning Nigerians to bring the country
out of the current economic situation it has found itself, a few
self-serving individuals are bent on distracting the
administration from the avowed focus to reflate the fortunes
of the country through the diversification of the economy
which, very soon, Nigerians will begin to see and experience
the results.
The Federal Government warns purveyors of such malicious
information and those thinking of embarking on the same
route to have a rethink and retrace their steps.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 7, 2016


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