Members of Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) and other stakeholders in the rice value chain have been urged not to increase the price of the product due to the border closure.
Godwin Emefiele, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), made the appeal in Abuja on Monday, October 14, by Mr Muhammed Tijani, Media Assistant to RIMAN’s Chairman.
The CBN governor disclosed 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 added that the imported rice into the country was chemicalized for preservation, therefore not good for consumption.
According to him, there was a need to increase rice production and discourage hoarding leading to a price increase while calling on rice millers to support the government’s effort in the rice value chain sector.
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.