We Have Depended On Crude Oil And Neglected Agriculture – Jonathan. President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed regret over dependence on crude oil and prolonged neglect of the agriculture sector have impoverished Nigerians despite abundance of agricultural resources the country is blessed with. Nigeria’s President Jonathan Goodluck In a report by Leadership Newspaper, speaking yesterday during the 2015 Agricultural Festival (AGRIFEST) at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the president vowed that there would be no sacred cows among importers who are owing the country on rice import duties. President Jonathan told the huge number of farmers who attended the event that they could rely on him as their Farmers’ President and be rest assured of his support at all times to further boost your efforts to produce more food for the nation. READ ALSO: Buhari To Create 20, 000 Jobs In Each State – Osinbajo He announced the release of N26 billion towards the 2015 Dry Season Farming Programme, saying with the support of the farmers, he hoped to be with them next year as president to do even more for them. Lamenting the plight of Nigerians, he said, “Our nation is blessed with abundant agricultural resources, but for too long we have depended on crude oil and neglected agriculture. This situation created poverty and suffering in our rural communities. “Agriculture is now the lifeline for Nigeria. As crude oil prices decline, we must create new wealth from the richness of our soils, the vastness of our rivers and the abundance of our cheap labour. We will produce more, and we will industrialise the agricultural sector. Noting that the rice revolution is taking place across the country, the president said, while high quality Nigerian rice was now competing favourably with imported rice in the markets, rice importers cannot hold the country hostage. He said, “Nigeria our dear country will not be held hostage by rice importers. There will be no sacred cows under my watch. All those owing Nigeria on rice import duties must pay. President Jonathan’s main opponent for the upcoming elections Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has promised to revived the agricultural and Industrial sectors if elected as President. Details: giantnigeria.blogspot
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 01:07:59 +0000
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