President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday
read the Riot Act to rice importers in the
country, saying all those owing the nation
rice import duties must pay, no matter
how highly placed they are.
He said under no circumstance will he
allow rice importers to hold the nation to
ransom.
“Nigeria our dear country will not be held
hostage by rice importers. There will be no
sacred cows under my watch. All those
owing Nigeria on rice import duties must
pay,” Jonathan declared at the opening of
an event called AgriFest 2015 at the Eagles
Square, Abuja.
The President noted that rice farmers
across the country have a new lease of
life due to the transformation taking place
in the sector.
He said over six million rice farmers have
received improved rice seed varieties,
boosting domestic rice production by an
additional seven million metric tons.
He said, “The rice revolution is taking place
across the country, from Kebbi, Kano,
Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi,
Gombe, Niger, Kogi, Ogun, Ekiti, Ebonyi,
Rivers, Anambra, Delta, Edo to Bayelsa
State.
“High quality Nigerian rice is now
competing favourably with imported rice in
the markets.
“Our rice millers have taken advantage of
these new opportunities, and the number
of integrated rice mills has expanded from
1 (one) at the beginning of this
administration, to 24 today.
“And they are all here today. I celebrate
you all. I eat Nigerian rice and can tell you
it is better than imported rice,” he added.
Jonathan also announced the release of
N26billion for the 2015 dry season farming
programme.
He told the large gathering of farmers that
he remained the farmers’ President and
would need their support to remain in
office beyond this year.
He said the various innovations put up by
his administration had changed the face of
agriculture in the country.
He promised to do more for the farmers
and the sector if re-elected.
Source; www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-reads-riot-act-to-rice-importers/