We are targeting zero food import bill ―Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the Federal Government is already targeting a regime of self-sufficiency in food production and consumption, while radically cutting down on imports of agricultural products that depleted the country’s foreign reserve in the past.

He made the remark while receiving  Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Nigeria, Mr Lim Sim Seng, at the State House, Abuja.

President Buhari said the era of high import bills on food was fast becoming a thing of the past with growing investments in the agricultural sector, favourable weather and collective will of Nigerians to start feeding themselves and exporting products.

He added: “I am very pleased with the relationship we have with Singapore, and we are benefiting a lot from your experiences and investment.

“Recently, I was in Kaduna to commission one of your investments in agriculture. We are happy that you are also looking at the agricultural sector because that is integral to our economic blueprint for diversifying the economy,’’ he said.

The President said bilateral relations with Singapore will be further strengthened so that both countries can enjoy the benefits of competitive advantage, especially in exchange of ideas and technology that will enhance growth and improvement in the livelihood of citizens.

ALSO READ: Reconsider your stand on peace corps bill, commandant appeals to Buhari

Buhari, who also received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Republic of The Philippines, Mrs Shirley Ho-Vicaria and High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda, Nelson Ocheger, assured the countries of Nigeria’s cooperation on economic, security and diplomatic issues.

In his response, the High Commissioner of Singapore said his country could go into partnership with Nigeria in exchange for technical skills, training of entrepreneurs and public servants.

Describing Nigeria as the “big brother of Africa’’, Seng said an investment in the country will naturally result in growth for the entire continent.