BY VICTORIA ONU, ABUJA
THE Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has decried the devastating destructions and lootings carried out against its members, saying that the development could affect the local production of rice.
Some of the millers affected by the looting are Shamad Rice Mill Yola and Glams Foods, Lagos, among others.
RIMAN said these in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Peter Dama.
The Association noted that during these attacks, tons of milled rice, paddy, furniture, equipment and operational vehicles were destroyed and looted while some parts of their buildings were set ablaze.
It said, “This act is condemnable, highly regrettable and insensitive. Regrettably, during these attacks, tons of milled rice, paddy, furniture, equipment and operational vehicles at the premises of these Rice mills were destroyed and looted while some parts of buildings were set ablaze.
“RIMAN is therefore shocked and sad at the level of the havoc that was carried out on these Rice Mills and other government and private properties within the country.”
Dama said that the resultant impact on these rice mills would create some deficits in the association’s contribution to the National Food Security and Rice Value Chain, as the affected Rice Mills would be shut down.
He said, “RIMAN therefore calls on Government to, as a matter of urgency, assist the Rice Millers with funds to rebuild and restock to commence their operations, as most of them took bank facilities to answer the call by government to add to National Food Security deficit, particularly on Rice self-sufficiency in the country.
“RIMAN also appeals to government to provide adequate security coverage to Rice mills under threat, in order to avert future occurrence.”
RIMAN in the statement also expressed its sympathy to all those, whose valuable assets, milling equipments, were destroyed, vandalised or looted, and prayed that the authorities would compensate them on time so that they could resume operations.
It added, “RIMAN appeals to the Nigerian Youths to sheath their swords, since they have spoken loud and clear and government has heard them.
“They should therefore retreat and await the implementation of government promises to them. We also further advice that in future, Nigerian youths should explore dialogue and negotiations with authorities whenever there are grievances to resolve in order to avoid miscreants hijacking their well-intended moves meant to move the nation forward.”
