The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) , has called on the Federal Government to criminalise sale of foreign rice in the country.
The Association warned that if the government failed to take decisive action on foreign rice which it noted were smuggled into the country,,all the mills in the country collapse and lead to job losses.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja ,on Saturday, the Director General of the association,Mr Andy Ekwelem stated that rice value chain sub Sector had engaged about 13 million Nigerians on direct employment.
According to Ekwelem,” the country is losing revenue because these smugglers are not paying the right duties to bring the rice into the country and this ugly experience is killing our economy
“We want a law that will empower law enforcement agencies to go to markets and ships to arrest anyone found with foreign rice because their action amounts to economic sabotage.
“When that is done, people will be discouraged from buying from these people that smuggled rice into the country. We need to take drastic measures against smugglers as well as those selling the products” he said.
The Director General disclosed that about N3.4 million has been invested in the entire rice value chain production across the country adding that the gains made in the sub sector in the last few years were possible through the support and interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Rice is a staple food in the country and home grown rice aimed to be cheaper than foreign rice which is reportedly cancerous having outlived expiration dates and repacked for sale to unsuspecting vulnerable countries such as Nigeria ,but that is not the case.
A recent survey conducted by current matters revealed a slim price differential between local and foreign rice in the country which differs from one part of the country to another
While the price of a 50kg foreign rice bag is sold for 28,000 ,in Lagos and Kano, the local sells according to brand for 23,000 -26,000 . The commodity sells higher in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, and the South South sometimes rallying at 33-36 for foreign and 23,500 – 27,000, even rice producing states such as Plateau, Ebonyi and. Anambra are not left out in the exorbitant prices.
