The All Progressives Congress has rejected a request by Vietnam to bring subsidized rice into Nigeria. The APC said accepting the request would further hurt the country’s economy.
The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, stated this while receiving a delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Vuong Hue, in Abuja. Hue, who is billed to meet with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo today had requested the support of the ruling party for the Asian nation to bring subsidized rice into Nigeria .
But Oshiomhole said Nigeria wants to promote food security and increase the employment rate in the country. He told the Vietnam official that rather than importing rice, Vietnamese farmers can take advantage of Nigeria’s arable land.
The Vietnamese delegation had appealed to the Federal Government to suspend its policy to ban importation of rice. Oshiomole however said Nigerians should unanimously back the decision of the Federal Government to close the borders until the country’s neighbours decide to respect the laws of fair and free trade.
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