Kano industrialist commends FG on border closure

A Kano-based industrialist, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, has commended the federal government for its decision to close the nation’s borders.

He made the commendation while speaking to newsmen after a meeting with the chairman of Kano Concern Citizens Initiative (KCCI) and the defunct NRC Presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Bashir Tofa in Kano on Friday.

Ahmed, who is the managing director of Tiamin Rice Milling Comapany, said the decision to close the borders by the federal government would revitalise the nation’s industries.

“The borders closure has received significant support from the Nigeria Rice Producers who said the policy is greatly making an impact on the home grown rice.

According to him, many rice milling companies have already started springing up while hundreds of unemployed persons are gradually gaining employment opportunities.

“I faced serious challenges for three years after establishing the company which were surmounted after realising that Nigeria indeed needs home-grown rice to survive the onslaught of the foreign rice.

“All these years after I established this company, nobody showed interests in what I and others were doing, but the stand of the KCCI has truly encouraged me to expand my company soon.”

“Today with the federal government intervention and support, Nigerian rice is now gradually competing favorably with the foreign rice.

“For example, this company which started on a very low production capacity is now producing 320 tones daily with over 300 permanent staff and 600 casual workers.

“This is why I said the borders closure is working and if government sustains, it in the next few years, Nigeria would start exporting its own rice after feeding its citizens; that is where we are heading now,” he said.

He called on the minister of agriculture, Mallam Sabo Nanono, to ensure that rice farmers were given more support so that rice milling companies would have enough to process.

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