Empower Rice Millers, Reopen The Border To Curb Inflation, Labana GM Counsels FG
From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin- Kebbi
The General Manager of Labana Rice Mills Company in Kebbi State, Alhaji Alhassan Usman has attributed the current inflation in the Country and shortage of foodstuffs to prolonged border closure and inability of Millers to produce enough rice needed.
Speaking with Journalists in his office in mid week Usman called on the federal government to empower Millers with funds in order to produce enough rice to compliment the expected food security for the Nation.
“Lets the federal government assist Millers with loans to enhance their capacity production just like it has done previously and this time around with amendment by giving the funds directly to Millers not individuals or organisations, but directly to farmers.
” With the current inflation, Millers as producers of rice, corn, wheat and oil needed urgent help to assisting their companies with sufficient funds to enhance their production capacity.”
Alhaji Usman stated that the Labana company which recently embarked on production of three trucks per day was due to the current inflation in the land.
According to him 50kg bag which previously sold at N38 to N40,000 now sells at N60,000 due to current inflation attributed to devaluation of the naira in exchange to the dollar.
The GM explained that the his company has injected about N1 billion to suppliers of paddy rice but, due the scarcity of the products due to insecurity, supply has been stagnated which invariably forced the company to depend on the little it has in reserves to the company to operate on skeleter basis.
He commended the owners of Labana Rice Mill company for their dedication and tolerance in maintaining it services as well as reducing unemployment by employing thousand of youths in and outside Kebbi State.
