‘Nigeria Loses $260bn Annually To Rice Importation’

[Shola Sholaz]

A former Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia, Dr Kenneth Nwosu, says Nigeria loses more than 260 billion dollars annually on rice importation.
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Nwosu, a commissioner nominee, made the disclosure when he answered questions from members of the Abia House of Assembly during his screening in Umuahia on Wednesday.
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"Presently, Nigeria import more than 5.3 metric tonnes of rice from Thailand annually and that amounts to over $260 billion.
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"As a nation, we have the potential to even produce more than 100 metric tonnes of rice as well as other commodities because our land is fertile and can grow a lot of things,'' he said.
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Nwosu also advised the state government to key into agricultural policies of the Federal Government to boost food production in the state.
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According to him, Nigeria can tackle the problems of insecurity and unemployment if youths embrace agriculture as a business.
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The 23 names were submitted to the house for clearance by Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia.
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The 12 nominees appeared before the house on Wednesday, while 11 others were screened on Sept. 17.
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However, some of the nominees who had some pending issues were directed by the legislature to return on a later date.
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The Speaker, Mr Ude Okochukwu, announced that those whose screenings were stood down would re-appear before the lawmakers on Sept. 23.

[Folami David]

That is the more reason why we have to concentrate more on Agriculture in this country else we'll keep losing this money. God help us!