CBN warns against consumption of imported Rice.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that imported rice into the country were chemicalised for preservation and not good for human consumption.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele appealed to members of Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) and other stakeholders in the rice value chain not to increase the price of rice over border closure

Emefiele said that there was a need to increase rice production and discourage hoarding leading to a price increase while calling on rice millers to support government’s effort in the rice value chain sector.
He said that hoarding rice with a view to increasing the prices of rice would bring hardship to Nigerians.
He said that the CBN under his leadership would support rice millers to stem off smuggling in the country and grow the rice sector for food self–sufficiency.

Emefiele also called on them not to hoard rice as a result of the closure of the borders in order to increase the price, adding that such acts were unpatriotic.

The CBN governor said that the border closure was meant to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy and ensure that the country attained food self-sufficiency in the rice value chain.
He said that this was for the benefit and wellbeing of the citizenry.

Emefiele called on Nigerians to support the government action on the closure of the border, adding that government took the decision in the best interest of Nigerians as it was meant to secure the country.

He said that this would also secure the health of the citizenry from heavily chemicalised products that were injurious to the health of the country