From Uche Usim, Abuja
The former Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, has warned against total ban on rice importation just as described the ongoing agriculture revolution in the country, especially in rice production, as a huge success.
He, however, warned against total ban of the staple until local producers meet national consumption to avoid starvation.
Speaking with journalistsMonday in Abuja, Omeri said the policies relating to agriculture in Nigeria have been result-oriented.
His words: “This revolution is not just starting from this administration, it started from previous ones. Today, we are seeing revolution in Anambra, Nasarawa, Kebbi with rice everywhere. So what we need to do is not an outright ban but we should reduce the ban according to the level of production. If we are able to produce 10,000 tonnes and we are importing 20,000, let us cut off the 10,000 and bring in the other 10,000 tonnes so that we do not go hungry.
“We should also ensure that any rice that is imported must be competitive with the local rice, otherwise, there is no need to bring it. We do not need rice that will undermine our own growth process or the one that will project the imported rice. After all, our rice is more organic, fresher and directly from the farm and doesn’t have to go through the seas.
“So let us look at the nutritional value and begin to patronise made in Nigeria rice. Let us do phased withdrawal of import of rice in this country so that our people can grow more,” he explained.
On his advice to the newly promoted senior officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), especially the spokesman, Joseph Attah, the ex-NOA boss said: “As a media person and a professional, I will advise that he should open his doors to journalists and make information available to them. Lack of access to information leads to speculations. So he should make information available and be as smart a journalist as possible because most times some of us information managers, once we move into the management level, we forget where we are coming from; we forget that we were journalists,” he added.
He also commended the Customs for ensuring that the establishment conforms to set standards.