President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing one $1billion in rice production in Nigeria.
The President made the commendation during the signing of the $1 billion-dollar Rice Investment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the Federal Government and Dangote Group at the State House, Abuja on Friday. The Minister of Agriculture, Adewunmi Adesina and Alhaji Dangote signed on behalf of the Federal Government and Dangote Group respectively.
Jonathan hailed Dangote Group’s investment as the single largest investment ever made in rice production in Africa. He thanked Dangote for investing in agriculture and assured him that his investment will be worthwhile.
Jonathan expressed hope that a time will come when the country will be self-sufficient in rice production and become a net-exporter of the grain. He added that the federal government will protect Nigeria’s borders and check smuggling.
“Government cannot allow its borders to be porous. We are working on non-human measures and smugglers should have a rethink now and change their ways by investing their resources in other meaningful areas,” Jonathan said.
In his response, Dangote thanked the president for the consistency of government policies on investment, noting that the current $25 billion-dollar Dangote Cement Company was the result of the consistency of government policies.
“We will continue to work hard and will not disappoint you,” Dangote assured.
In less than four years, Nigeria hopes to become a net-exporter of rice. Dangote Group’s investment in rice will cover five states and contribute additional 1.4 million metric tonnes of paddy rice.
