Afeez Hanafi
The Rice Distributors Association of Nigeria (RDAN) and Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPTAN) have urged the Federal Government to stop the smuggling of rice into the country, saying such will boost patronage of the local rice.
At a meeting in Lagos, they also implored the government to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria to grant them special interest rate on loans to engender ease of doing business, a statement said on Tuesday.
RDAN President, Olufunmulayo Akinsanya, implored the Federal Government to assist the millers in producing at affordable costs.
She said, “The Federal Government should make the production of local rice more appealing by making it affordable. The price of local rice is higher than the smuggled one and that is why people patronise the latter.”
RIPTAN Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, stated that smuggling was the major problem in the rice value chain.
The Iya-loja of Lagos, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said there was hunger in the land, urging the government to improve the ;standard of living.
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