- Border closure was meant to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy
- hoarding rice with a view to increasing the prices of rice would bring hardship to Nigerians.
With the closure of the border by the Federal Government recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has appealed to members of Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) and other stakeholders in the rice value chain not to increase the price of rice over border closure.
CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele made these appeal in a statement issued and made available to newsmen on Yesterday in Abuja by Mr. Muhammed Tijani, Media Assistant to RIMAN’s Chairman.
Emefiele also called on them not to hoard rice as a result of the closure of the borders in order to increase the price, adding that such acts were unpatriotic.
The CBN governor said that the border closure was meant to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy and ensure that the country attained food self-sufficiency in the rice value chain.
He said that this was for the benefit and wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said that imported rice into the country was chemicalized for preservation, therefore not good for consumption.
READ ALSO: CBN Sends Powerful Message To Youths In Creative Industry
Emefiele said that there was a need to increase rice production and discourage hoarding leading to the price increase while calling on rice millers to support the government’s effort in the rice value chain sector.
He said that hoarding rice with a view to increasing the prices of rice would bring hardship to Nigerians.
He said that the CBN under his leadership would support rice millers to stem off smuggling in the country and grow the rice sector for food self–sufficiency.
Emefiele called on Nigerians to support the government action on the closure of the border, adding that the government took the decision in the best interest of Nigerians as it was meant to secure the country.
He said that this would also secure the health of the citizenry from heavily chemicalized products that were injurious to the health of the country.
Mr. Peter Dama, the RIMAN Chairman assured the CBN of the supports of its members on the Federal Government’s action on border closure.
He said that its members would not succumb to pressure to reverse the policy on borders’ closure.
He urged the CBN for financial support to build capacity and expand milling activities to stimulate further growth in the rice sector.
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.