The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RPAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to ban importation of rice and criminalise the sales of foreign rice in the country.
Mr Andy Ekwelem who is the Director General of the association, stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday over the influx of smuggled rice into the country.
He cautioned if the government did not take decisive action on smuggled rice, all the mills in the country would collapse and lead to many jobs losses.
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“We have said it many times on the need for government to criminalise sales of foreign rice in the markets and supermarkets. Rice is number one on the list of prohibited products in which CBN placed forex restriction.
“It is assumed that any rice you see in this country now, in the markets, shops and even in your homes that is not Nigeria made rice, it is smuggled into the country.
“The country is losing revenue because these smugglers are not paying the right duties to bring the rice into the country and this ugly development is killing our economy.
“We want a law that will empower law enforcement agencies to go to markets and shops 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,” Ekwelem said.
