 |
| Image: princesses rice |
By Salisu K Ismail
The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government to rethink over it's recent decision to lift the ban on importation of foreign rice into the country.
Recalled that, last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the reversal on the 43 commodities including rice banned earlier by the previous administration.
RIPAN made the appeal on Thursday, through it's Kano Public Relation Officer who is also the Chairman, CEO, Fursa Food Ltd, Alh. Abba Dantata during a media chart with members of the Association of Kano Online Journalists (ASKOJ).
 |
| Alhaji Abba Dantata while interacting with members of ASKOJ |
According to him, although the Federal Government has not come out to make it clear to the populace and other relevant stakeholders why the lift on the ban at a time local production is being encouraged, RIPAN considers the move a ‘wrong one’, capable of destroying local rice industries.
"A lot has been put in place by the previous administration to encourage rice production in the country which this present administration is a continuity as such, should not be expected to turn back progress achieved so far in that regard," explained Dantata.
Adding that, "Any serious country should produce what to each and each what it produces without depending on another country."
On the way-out save the situation, the Public Relations Officer suggested that, the Federal Government should rather embark on massive infrastructural development that will further make rice production easier and cheaper without opening up the borders for its Importation which will force many of their members to shutdown thereby, creating more unemployment.
However, Mr. Dantata blamed shortage of rice paddy, middle men and unstable foreign exchange rate among others as some of the major factors responsible for high cost of local rice which the government must find a way to checkmate these issues with lasting solutions.
"Our economy must not be opened up for people to dump all manner of products to the detriment of our own industries," he said.
More so, Alhaji Abba Dantata stated that, personally he believes that government has good intentions and will not jeopardise efforts made to encourage farming in the nation.
He further added that, the Federal Government must put in place policies that will protect local rice industry if the foreign rice must be allowed into the country to avoid massive exit from the industry.
0 Comments