President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear that Nigeria will never be held hostage again by rice importers, stressing that there will be no sacred cows under his watch.
The President who spoke today at AgriFest in Abuja said: “All those owing Nigeria on rice import duties must pay.
Jonathan said that he celebrate Nigerian farmers that are into rice production, adding that local rice is so delicious that he eat it often.
“I eat Nigerian rice and can tell you it is better than imported rice. High quality Nigerian rice is now competing favourable 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.”
President Jonathan declared AgriFest as a remarkable event, an event which he said is a celebration and solidarity “with our dear farmers who supply our food, which is the foundation for human life. In furtherance of our rejuvenation and redefinition of Agriculture, and your earnest partnership in this revolution, I am exceptionally delighted to receive you all today.” [myad]
