- The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said rice importation into Nigeria has dropped by over 80%
- Osinbajo said rice importation in Nigeria was achieved from a synergy between the executive and the National Assembly
- The Acting President also said there is an increased rice production from 3.5 metric tons per hectare to 2.5 metric tons per hectare
The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, July 25, said rice importation into Nigeria has dropped by over 80%.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th annual conference of speakers and presiding officers of the commonwealth, Osinbajo said rice importation in Nigeria was achieved from a synergy between the executive and the National Assembly.
Osinbajo said in the last two years rice production in Nigeria skyrocketed to the extent that the nation has become the highest producer of rice in West Africa.
The Acting President added that an incorporation to agriculture and the provision of the single digit credit by the legislature increased production from 3.5 metric tons per hectare to 2.5 metric tons per hectare.
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Osinbajo said: “On a lighter note, I don’t know the experience of Presiding Officers from other nations present of the portrayals by the press of the relationship between the executive and the legislature.
Here in Nigeria what makes the news is conflict between the executive and the legislature,' Osinbajo said.
Also speaking at the event, the Senate President Bukola Saraki urged participants to ensure the conference provide platforms for African challenges to be addressed.
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The chairman of the conference, Yakubu Dogara, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives also encouraged lawmakers across Africa to work towards developing institutions in their country.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Nigerian Customs Service denied reports in some section of the media that it lifted the ban on land importation of rice.
The service also said the report which it claimed to be false was being peddled by some powerful forces behind the rice smuggling.
Customs said these importers were only recycling old reports under different circumstances for commission.
You can watch this NAIJ.com video of Nigerians reacting to Osinbajo becoming a president in 2019: