Governor Bagudu says President Buhari is working to make rice cheap in market

macfranc007 March 02, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 David Oladele

- Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi said all the 36 states in Nigeria can grow rice to contribute to the President Muhammadu Buhari's change mantra

- Bagudu noted that the leadership of President Buhari is to ensure the country attains self-sufficiency in rice and wheat production

- He maintained that the government is committed to ensure that the country attained self-sustainability in food production

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and the chairman, presidential taskforce on rice and wheat production has assured Nigerians of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s determination to ensure rice availability and affordability.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bagudu gave the assurance when he spoke to newsmen after meeting with the Rice Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIDAN) and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) in Lagos on Thursday, March 1.

According to Bagudu, from the contributions of all the stakeholders, it is apparent that what Nigerians want is actually not about making subsidy available for rice production.

He said that making rice affordable and accessible such that Nigerian produced rice could be as competitive as those of the imported ones was the yearning of Nigerians.

Bagudu said: ''The mandate given to this taskforce which is under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and vice president Yemi Osinbajo, is to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in rice and wheat production.

“But so far, the stakeholders within the value chain, either as farmers, distributors or millers are not talking about subsidy.

''What they are saying is help us tell president that we will like to have our rice at a competitive price with the so called imported ones. That has to do with affordability, and I can tell you that President is committed to that.''

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The governor explained that the stakeholders were patriotic and interested in selling Nigerian produced rice because it was nutritious and helped to provide employment for the Nigerian populace.

On smuggled rice, Bagudu said the National Agency for Food and medicine Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), had responsibilities to discharge and that government would intensify efforts in that regards.

He restated the federal government’s commitment to ensure that Nigeria attained self-sustainability in food production.

He added: ''All the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory can grow rice to help to contribute to the President’s mantra of `we must grow what we eat and eat what we grow.''

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that a clergyman, Most-Rev. Ikechi Nwosu, said that one positive feature of President Buhari’s administration was the freedom of press currently enjoyed by Nigerians from all spheres of life.

Nwosu, the Archbishop of Aba Province, Anglican Communion and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, said said that aside from the traditional media, Nigerians extensively used the social media to express their views on topical national issues without let or hindrance.

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