Rice Importation NOT Banned As Widely Reported - Presidency Clears The Air

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has decried the widespread propaganda that the Federal Government has place on outright ban on rice importation.

Adesina said this when he appeared on SweetFm’s flagship programme, The Podium.

He said the government only placed a ban on rice importation via land borders.
He said the ban on rice importation via land borders was placed so as to curtail smuggling and ensure revenue generation from rice importation.

“Importation of rice via our sea borders remain legal,” Adesina said.
Adesina equally said he would have done all he could to stop his appointment as Buhari’s media aide if he had a hint about it.

He said: “I was not expecting it.

“Maybe if I knew, I would have done all in my powers to make sure it does not happen.

“I have known him since he started contesting and wrote good things about him, but I did not know he will appoint me as his adviser.”

Adesina equally argued that Buhari’s anti-corruption fight is not selective.
He said chieftains of Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress and political appointees are not being prosecuted because no evidence has indicted them yet.

He said: “The onus lies on he who alleges to also prove.
“The fact that any Peoples Democratic Party member crosses to APC does not provide automatic shield.

“Whoever is indicted will be prosecuted.”

Adesina further noted that the Buhari-led Federal Government is paying more than lip service to diversification of the nation’s economy.

He said: “We have gotten to the point in which we have to diversify or die.
“The Federal Government has disbursed money so as to heavily invest in agriculture and mining.

“Dr. Fayemi has told us that the results of the ongoing investment may not be clearly seen in less than 30 years.

“However, we will lay the foundation.”

Adesina equally said the raid on judges homes was only a raid on corruption and not the judiciary.

He said: “Mr. President has said it all.

“No one is out to intimidate the judiciary.

“The Department of State Services raid was a raid on corruption not the judiciary.”

While responding to questions about Buhari’s reaction to the interview by his wife, Hajia Aisha, Adesina insisted that the President has a right to his privacy and his family matter should not be a subject of discourse in the news.