Border closure: Don’t increase price of rice, CBN appeals to rice producers

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Mr Godwin Emefiele has called on members of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Rice Merchants and distributors not to increase the price of Rice over border closure.

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.

In a statement issued by RIMAN Chairman, Peter Dama, Emeliele said the closure of the borders 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 were chemicalized for preservation and not good for consumption.

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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.

Mr Emefiele observed that hoarding Rice with a view to increasing prices will only bring hardship to Nigerians, encourage Rice Smuggling that leads to capital flight and lots of jobs.

He 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.

While responding, the Chairman, Mr Peter Dama assured the CBN Governor of the support of its members on the Federal Government action on the closure of borders.

He advised that the Government should never succumb to pressure to reverse the policy on the closure of the borders.

Mr Dama further called on all those in the Rice Value Chain Sector to support Government and on the border closure in order to further boost domestic production with a view to discouraging Smuggling and dependence on foreign foods.

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.