There are indications that the Federal Government is planning another policy reversal on the importation of rice through the nation’s land borders.
Already, the government has directed the Nigerian Customs Service to meet with the Trans-Border Traders Association of Nigeria (TBTAN) on modalities for actualizing the plans,
In a letter by the Ministry of Finance to the TBTAN government specifically hinted that it was considering the request, but directed that a meeting be held between Customs and the rice importers for modalities.
There are indications that the Federal Government is planning another policy reversal on the importation of rice through the nation’s land borders.
Already, the government has directed the Nigerian Customs Service to meet with the Trans-Border Traders Association of Nigeria (TBTAN) on modalities for actualizing the plans,
In a letter by the Ministry of Finance to the TBTAN government specifically hinted that it was considering the request, but directed that a meeting be held between Customs and the rice importers for modalities.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed yesterday that the essence of the meeting is to ensure that all revenue accruable to the government as duty on rice imported through the land borders are collected by the Customs.
However, the move has incurred the angst of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) which has cautioned government.
The NACCIMA in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday and which was made available to our correspondent described the move as detrimental to the interests of local rice farmers who had accessed about N200Billion loans from the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The latest development is a follow-up on a similar letter that was written last year by the TBTAN to the minister of finance, and which also elicited an action from the ministry t the Customs.|
Our correspondent has confirmed that the current move is without prejudice to plans by the government to ban importation of rice by 2015.
Nigeria’s demand for rice currently stands at five million metric tonnes while its local production is about 2.5 million metric tonnes.
But, NACCAIMA in the statement that was signed by its Director-General, John Isemede, urged the government to place a ban on all agricultural produce, which could be sourced in the country, rice inclusive.
According to him,the decision to open the land borders for rice importation would only lead to policy summersault in respect of backward integration.
The NACCIMA argued that “Edo, Abia can produce the best furniture in the World. “Kaduna is the home of textile mills, what will happen to the rice mills the Federal Government is pumping billions into”.
He said that the proposed importation of rice from the Far East and the Western World through the ports would still create the setbacks of the past.
“Rice importation will lead to more problems and friction at home as the beneficiaries of the bailout funds will not be able to compete and pay back the loans with importers making billions in a Ship load into Nigeria.
“If our suppliers in Asia have a poor harvest or crop failure, where do you think we will run to for Food aid? Imports and handouts would not solve our food needs with a population of 150 million.
“Rice can be cultivated in more than 20 states in Nigeria. It is also worthy to note that FADAMA managed by the Federal Food Reserve Agency recorded huge success in Nigeria. There is therefore no need for further rice importation as Nigerians can produce cereals at home”, he said.
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