President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday unveiled the one million rice pyramid in Abuja.
The mega project which is regarded as the largest of its type in the world, is located at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) along the Airport Road.
The project was executed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).
The one million rice paddy stacked in 15 separate pyramids were planted and harvested from states across the country under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).
Present at the unveiling event which held in Abuja are, President Muhammadu Buhari; CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers; Governor David Umayi of Ebonyi and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa.
Speaking during the unveiling event, Buhari said the commissioning of rice pyramids in Abuja was an indication that Nigeria is making steady and assured progress towards self-sufficiency in food production.
The President said the project is in line with the economic plan of his administration. According to him, the rice pyramid will boost the economy, create jobs and reduce reliance on imported food and industrial raw materials.
Speaking also, the Chairman, Pyramid Sub Committee of RIFAN, Mr Shehu Muazu, commended all the stakeholders involved in the mega project, adding that the success of the rice pyramid shows that local production of food is possible.
Muazu also added that with the launch of the one million bags of rice paddy stacked as pyramids in Abuja, the prices of rice are expected to be reduced.
In his words: “RIFAN in collaboration with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria will process the rice and sell at a discounted price. This will lead to drastic reduction in price once it starts rolling into the market.
“Our collaboration with the millers association rests on the agreement that they will sell at a discounted price to Nigerians.
“Although, we cannot talk of price in isolation as far as prices all over the world are concerned because all over the world prices of food have gone up.
“But the good news is that rice will remain the cheapest commodity as far as food is concerned due to the success recorded through the scheme.’’
