Nigerians Eat Asian Rice Stored In Silos For Over 15-years

THERE were indications, at the weekend, that millions of Nigerians may be eating rice that had been stored in silos in some Asian countries for about 15 years.Mr. Oronto Douglas, Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan dropped the hint at an exclusive interactive forum organised by the Nigeria Britain Association in Ikoyi, Lagos.Douglas, who was special guest at the event, spoke under the theme, 'Transformation Strategy Options for Nigeria and Nigeria-UK Enterprise Partnership Opportunities,' saying that the discovery was made by the Ministry for Agriculture.Mr. Douglas said he was alarmed when the Minister for Agriculture told him about the unpleasant development, adding that the present administration has, within a short period, put in place some agricultural strategies that would, by the year 2015, help Nigerians avoid eating rice that could have lost its nutrients before being brought into the country. Oronto regretted that some unscrupulous merchants have been subjecting the people to the consumption of rice imported from certain countries in Asia.'They keep fresh rice to themselves and bring old rice from their warehouses to Nigeria. When you go to restaurants and you eat rice, you will think that you are eating rice but the nutrients are not there, he volunteered to the audience made up of British and Nigerian businessmen and other stakeholders in the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.The Special Adviser to the Minister said that, by the next four years, Nigerians would be eating rice cultivated locally, adding that government is working to revolutionise agriculture.He said Jonathan's government recognised the need to have a viable agricultural sector, and a stable power that will improve global competitiveness, noting that Britain could be part of it through the Nigeria Britain Association.According to him, the people of Nigeria should not live business in the hands of those who just throw cash around and do not care about the people.
Click here to read full news..