Sokoto governor calls for end to rice waivers

In a move he believes would spur local production of the product, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has asked the Federal Government to end the current waiver regime enjoyed by rice importers in the country.
He said the waiver is hampering local production of the commodity and should be phased out, has said.Tambuwal stated this when he received the new Customs Area Controller for Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir, who paid him a courtesy call in Sokoto city.
The governor argued the quality of rice produced locally was of international standard and far better than many of the ones imported into the country.
The governor said preliminary studies undertaken showed that despite efforts to boost local rice production, unfavorable government policies especially with regards to waiver to importers, coupled with other policies, impeded the states' objectives to achieve local self-sufficiency.