The Federal Government (FG) has rejected plea by Vietnam that its rice should be allowed into Nigeria.

Instead, the FG asked Vietnamese investors to build rice processing mills in Nigeria, given the country’s large arable lands and potentials in rice farming.

Speaking at the Nigeria-Vietnam Trade and Investment Forum (NVTIF) in Abuja yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Sunday Akpan, told the gathering that Vietnam was among the top five rice producers in the world.

Akpan said Nigeria would welcome collaboration with Vietnamese government and investors in the area of building rice processing mills in Nigeria given their vast experience in rice production.

The permanent secretary’s position appears to be a rejection of the appeal of the Vietnamese government that the Federal Government should allow it to export rice to Nigeria at discounted rates.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, had on Tuesday made the appeal through the ruling APC when he led a five-man delegation to meet the Adams Oshiomshole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
The appeal may not be unconnected with the biting effect of Nigeria’s recent border closure and ban on rice importation through the land borders.

Rejecting the appeal, the APC Chairman, Oshiomhole, had told the visiting deputy prime minister that Nigeria would not accept such demand from Vietnam, advising the country to rather secure land and invest in rice production in Nigeria.

Oshiomhole said, “If government allows importation of food, our youths will become idle; that will lead to unemployment. We want to promote food security. Rather than importing rice from Vietnam, your (Vietnam) farmers can take advantage of our arable land. We have to do that not only to protect farmers, but to tackle food security,” he said.

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) President, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, in 2017, said the trade volume between the countries was $303.83m, out of which Nigeria’s export to Vietnam was $232.65m and imports from Vietnam was $71.18m.

Kayode said Nigeria’s exports to Vietnam were mainly raw materials, especially cashew nuts, while imports were mainly mobile phones, electronics, textiles, plastics, chemicals and machinery parts.

He said, “Nigeria and Vietnam must devise more areas of economic cooperation in important sectors like oil and gas, maritime, mining, construction, power, agriculture, cement, transportation, engineering, telecommunication and education. This is in order to add maximal value to our economies on a win-win basis and to ensure mutual prosperity.”

nrexzy:
Finally my country has taken a stand....

God bless Nigeria...
We r getting there...

whatisthetruth:


When will you take a stand against oil importation? You have oil, yet you have to take it outside Nigeria to be refined and then buy back the refined products.

When will you take a stand against weapon importation? Begging USA and Russia up and down.

When will you take a stand against importation of phones and laptops?

Everyone just talking about rice.

whatisthetruth:


When will you take a stand against oil importation? You have oil, yet you have to take it outside Nigeria to be refined and then buy back the refined products.

When will you take a stand against weapon importation? Begging USA and Russia up and down.

When will you take a stand against importation of phones and laptops?

Everyone just talking about rice.

ManirBK:
Is Nigeria a dumping ground?? Can't they sell their rice elsewhere? Kudos to FG

ashlyfab78:




It will always be rice bro, buhari don't have where they manufactures phone and other stuffs...

alizma:

As if you have solved all your personal problems over night.

helinues:
Better.. Let them pass their goods through the right channel. ( Air ports and Sea ports

alizma:

As if you have solved all your personal problems over night.

whatisthetruth:


When will you take a stand against oil importation? You have oil, yet you have to take it outside Nigeria to be refined and then buy back the refined products.

When will you take a stand against weapon importation? Begging USA and Russia up and down.

When will you take a stand against importation of phones and laptops?

Everyone just talking about rice.

kunleweb:
Not all lands are suitable for rice cultivation. Whatever rocks your boat.

Susu888:



Take a chill pill mehn! It ain't magic , its a long process and we barely took the first step. If we can begin to feed our selves (Agricultural industries) then next clothing ourselves (Textile industries also on the way) after that we arm ourselves( Defense industries) before u know it and in the space of 15 yrs we will be a force to reckon with around the globe. U can't just wish something into existence or do you thinks others wished it?? Its a painstakingly long process. Have a little patience or just shut it bcuz the last we need are pessimistic characters such as urself going around making us feel like nothing is happening while in reality there is a whole lot of change! we r getting there by God's Grace. The world shall witness the rise of another super power. A beacon to the black race.

ManirBK:
We will soon start exporting rice to Vietnam and other countries. Nigerian rice will become ubiquitous Insha'Allah.
The greatness of Nigeria is here!

whatisthetruth:


When will you take a stand against oil importation? You have oil, yet you have to take it outside Nigeria to be refined and then buy back the refined products.

When will you take a stand against weapon importation? Begging USA and Russia up and down.

When will you take a stand against importation of phones and laptops?

Everyone just talking about rice.

Instead, the FG asked Vietnamese investors to build rice processing mills in Nigeria, given the country’s large arable lands and potentials in rice farming.