RABI’UL-THANI 28, 1429 A.H
MONDAY, MAY 5 2008
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Food crisis: Importation isn’t a solution--Speaker Bankole
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, has said that the House does not believe the importation of rice is the appropriate solution to the food crisis in the country.
Answering questions from the business community in Lagos, Bankole noted that the crisis was not peculiar to Nigeria as it was a global phenomenon.
He said importation of rice rather than solve the crisis, would only kill local rice growers in the country.
Bankole said however, that the 11,000 metric tonnes of grains to be released by the federal government to the public was a commendable effort ‘’but is just a medium term intervention.’’
He said the crisis was beyond the executive arm, adding that this was why the House recently passed a motion intervening in the crisis.
The Speaker said the House committee on agriculture last week summoned the minister of agriculture to explain the efforts of the ministry on food security.
He said the House would soon hold a stakeholders’ forum on food security in the country to discuss the way forward.
Bankole said the house was looking for a way to have subsidy on agricultural produce as well as ensure that fertiliser got to the end users in good time.
He assured that the House would do everything possible to protect the interest of Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion.
