By Matthew Denis
Nigerians have continued to react to directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt further provision of foreign exchange for the importation of food items into the country.
According to his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the directive became necessary after the president said his administration has achieved food security.
“Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country,” the president was quoted as saying while hosting the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to Eid-el-Kabir lunch in his country home in Daura, Katsina State.
But, various individuals and groups have come out to expressed mixed feelings over the directive. While some hailed it, saying it is step in right direction to boost economic growth, others condemned the policy.
Speaking to Pilot Business on the development on Saturday, the Kwara State Chairman Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Baba Ibrahim said the ban is a welcome idea.
“A country’s prospect is determined by the high level of exportation for goods and services. The ban is a good development to enable local food producers to think of processing their raw items into semi finished goods.”
A businessman, Chief Chinedu Ezeanowii explained that the country is not ripe for the policy.
“Though the ban is a welcome development, but the president should have allowed more investors to key into the yam importation before carrying out the policy.
Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of ICAN Kwara and Ilorin District, Pastor Abel Aiyedogbon noted that the policy will boost economy of Nigeria.
” It is believed that the savings on food importation will be utilised elsewhere, which is good. It may be difficult initially, but with time, we shall overcome and be exporter of food items. Petrol will finish one day, let us start the adjustment now, ” he said.
For proprietor of Regalia Elegance Multi Concept, Mr. Babatunde Oluwatosin, the ban would enhance local production and boost growth of infant industries in the country.
“It is a good decision coming at this time, it will boost local production and this will lead to food sufficiency in the country,” he noted.
