Godwin Emefiele CBN Governor
Godwin Emefiele CBN Governor
CBN Raises Alarms over Hardazous Imported Rice, Warns
Against Hike in Price of Nigerian Rice
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Mr. Godwin Emefiele
(CON) has called on members of the Rice Millers Association of
Nigeria, RIMAN, Rice Merchants and distributors not to increase the
price of Rice because of boarder closure.
2. The Governor, who called on Rice Millers, Rice Merchants and
distributors not to hoard Rice as a result of the closure of the
boarders in order to increase prices, said that such acts were
unpatriotic.
3. Emeliele said the closure of the boarders was meant to
promote the growth of the Nigerian Economy and ensure that the
country attains food self-sufficiency in the Rice value chain
sector for the benefit and wellbeing of the citizens. He disclosed
that imported Rice into the country are chemicalized for
preservation and not good for consumption.
4. The Governor made this call during a meeting he held with
RIMAN members and Rice Merchants and distributors at the CBN
Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
5. The CBN Governor who informed RIMAN and Rice Merchants that
he had summoned the meeting in order to discuss issues on how to
further increase Rice Production and discourage hoarding and Price
Increase, requested Rice Millers to support government efforts in
the Rice Value Chain Sector.
6. Mr. Emefiele who observed that horading Rice with a view to
increase prices will only bring hardship to Nigerians, encourage
Rice Smuggling that leads to capital flight and lots of jobs, added
that CBN under his leadership will support Rice Millers in order to
stem off smuggling in the country, and grow the Rice sector for
food self-sufficiency in the Nation.
7. The CBN Governor called on all Nigerians to support the
government action on closure of the boarder stating that government
took the decision in the best interest of Nigerians as it’s meant
to secure the country and at same secure the health of the citizens
from heavily chemicalized products that is injurious to the health
of our citizens.
8. Responding on behalf of RIMAN Members, Its Chairman, Mr.
Peter Dama assured the CBN Governor of the support of its members
on the Federal Government action on the closure of boarders. He
advised that Government should never succumb to pressure to reverse
the policy on the closure of the boarders.
9. Mr. Dama further called on all those in the Rice Value Chain
Sector to support Government and on the boarder closure in order to
further boast domestic production with a view to discouraging
Smuggling and dependence on foreign foods.
10. The RIMAN Chairman thereafter canvased for financial support
for RIMAN members to build up capacity and expand their milling
activities in order to stimulate further growth in the Rice
Sector.
11. On pending applications for financial interventions from
RIMAN members Mr. Dama appealed that the CBN should intervene. The
CBN Governor immediately gave marching orders to his team to look
into the issues raised by RIMAN with the view of resolving
them.
Signed
Mr. R.D Tijani
Media Assistant to RIMAN Chairman