Umar Akilu Majeri
The Central Bank of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to deliver loans to farmers in order to boost agricultural production for food security, job creation, and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the central bank Governor Mr. Godwin Emifele while delivering his speech at the commissioning of 456 Metrics Tone Gerawa Rice Mills in Kano.
He said, the Central Bank is overwhelmed by the success recorded in the agricultural sector, which is now one of the major labor employer and national economic growth drivers.
“We will also continue to provide foreign exchange for the purchase of equipment to any industrialist who wants to set up company anywhere in Nigeria “.
The Governor added that the growing number of Major, Medium, and small-scale rice mills and other agro-allied industries across the country is a clear testimony for the success recorded by federal government policy on the agriculture sector.
”I am happy today, we are going around the country commissioning such gigantic industry established by Nigerians, this shows we are on a right track toward achieving food security, job creation, and sustainable growth”.
In his speech on the occasion, the chairman, a presidential committee on food security, and Governor of Kebbi State said, against all criticism now everybody is convinced that the policy introduced by President Buhari on “We must eat what we produced and we must produce what we eat ” is working and providing the fruitful result.
“In the past, the country has a presidential committee on rice importation today the case is the reverse and in the nearest future, we are hoping to have a presidential committee on rice exportation” Bagudu stated.
However, on his side, Jigawa state Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar commended Governor of Central Bank Mr. Godwin Emefiele for being proactive in the implementation of federal government agricultural policies which now contribute a large share to national growth and development.
According to him, .in the past CBN was only relating with commercial Banks and major industrialists, but today the bank is engaging with peasant farmers, as well as large scale farmers through various intervention and facilities, this, without doubt, made the current Nigerian economic growth more inclusive and sustainable.
The chairman Gerawa Rice mills Alhaji Isa Gerawa said in 2017 president Buhari commissioned his gigantic oil mills and today 1st February 2022 the central Bank Governor lead others to commission his 456/Metric Tone rice mills and also laid the foundation for the second phase of 545 metric ton.
He then promised to invest more as they expect more intervention and support from CBN, for jobs creation and economic growth.
