Saraki tasks KWACCIMA on rice production, processing

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called on the Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), to take advantage of the state’s competitive edge in rice production by setting up processing mills.

Saraki, who stated this when the leadership of KWACCIMA visited him in Abuja, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, commended the Chamber for improving the economy of Kwara State. He noted that there is need for close collaboration between the private sector and government to grow the economy by capitalising on the policies of government, aimed at diversifying the economy through agricultural production, especially rice farming and processing.

Earlier, the President and Chairman of Council of KWACCIMA, Dr. Ahmed Adeoye, said the visit was meant to seek the collaboration of the Senate President on ways to further improve the business and living standards of people of the state.

Saraki said: “This is an area that government has done a lot through the Central Bank by providing funding for both farmers and industrialists that want to set up rice processing mills and industries. I think we are well positioned for rice production particularly in Kwara North. Let us look at this area through your Chamber to see how we can facilitate the setting up of rice processing mills.

“Definitely, my office will be ready to work with you, to see that Kwara State gets its own fair share in the support that the Federal Government and the Central Bank are doing in providing funding in this area,” he said.

He stated that a major focus of the 8th National Assembly has been on how to reduce bottlenecks in the economy by improving laws to bring about the ease of doing business, adding that the passage of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Bill by the Senate during the week will help a lot of Nigerian companies go forward. “We also have been in the forefront in the push for patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods, by trying to ensure that Nigerian companies get first option in patronage from government businesses.

“Our government spends trillions of naira yearly and most of this sometimes goes into imported products. We believe that agencies of government should give Nigerian companies at least that opportunity to see whether they can supply or provide the services.” He said his office will continue to collaborate with the Chamber in the drive to attract more investors into the state in the areas it has comparative competitive advantage.