By Busola Kareem

The prohibition of sales of foreign rice and the confiscation of foreign rice bags has begun in Ebonyi state with the state governor, David Umahi, setting up a task force unit to storm markets and confiscate them. He announced this during the opening ceremony of the ultra modern Kpirikpiri market.

The governor also revealed that whoever still insists on selling rice must comply to certain processes so as to ensure it is safe and not harmful by producing a certificate of the rice quality and proof of paid import duties since most bags have been stored 20 years before importation and could lead to certain illnesses like cancer, kidney failure and other sorts of ailments.

The governor also disclosed that enough rice was being produced in the state and patrons were being looked for. He however promised to set up modern markets in 13 other local government areas within the state and that the Kpirikpiri market would compete with any other modern market in the country.

Also, the Special Adviser to the governor on Trade and Investment, Mr. Peter Abah has made a directive to foreign rice dealers to clear all foreign rice produce in the state within a fortnight.

‘Foreign rice should be evacuated or moved out of the state within two weeks. Once again, no selling, buying or consumption of foreign rice in Ebonyi state’.

This was to ensure the safety of the lives of the people who consume unhealthy substances marketed as foreign rice, he said.