Ebonyi State bans sale of foreign rice

The Ebonyi Government has said it was concluding plans to enforce a ban on the sale of foreign rice in markets and other outlets in the state.

Governor David Umahi made the disclosure when participants of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Senior Course 39, Jaji, visited him in Abakaliki on Monday.

The governor said the order would soon be enforced to ensure that the residents patronised home-grown Ebonyi Rice.

“I will personally lead a task-force, consisting of the State Executive Council members to various markets and enforce the order.
“Individuals who are selling the produce will provide certification of its quality because most of the rice brought into the state is not parboiled.

“Any rice that is not parboiled after six months turns to chaff as most of them brought into the country stay for about 10 years before being imported.

“The rice then becomes poisonous and we have banned cooking of non-Ebonyi rice inside the state’s Government House, hotels and public functions.

“The Ebonyi rice still presents its unique taste even when cooked without meat and we will give you some quantities for attestation,” he said.