Kano anti-graft agency partners producers to supply 30 trailers of rice

Chairman of the Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Muhyi Magaji has entered into an agreement with the state branch of the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria to supply 30 trailers of rice to supermarkets in the state on weekly basis.

Magaji told newsmen in Kano at the weekend, after a meeting with the processors to ensure that the product sells at N16, 000 per bag as the retail price as a means of controlling inflation.

Muhyi said that part of the agreement with the rice processors was to sell the product at N15, 500 to the supermarkets who will in turn sell to the public at N 16,000.

However, the anti-graft boss explained that they noted at the meeting that there was an increase in the price of paddy rice which has increased by 36 per cent since February, a reason that may have informed the hike in the price of rice.

“We had a meeting with the Rice Processors Association to see how to resolve the artificial inflation in the price of the product in the state.

“Because of this COVID-19, they will be giving bout 30 trailers of rice to supermarkets in the state.

“The supermarkets will be receiving the goods at the rate of N15, 500 and will not sell more than N16, 000. Hence the supermarket owners will be buying rice directly from the processors to avoid hoarding of the product and subsequent inflation. This is the proposal of the commission.

“They can continue their businesses with other traders and wholesalers, but we have created a window to control hoarding and inflation in this period of lockdown,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Delay in payment of Armed Forces salaries caused by lockdown – Accountant General

Chairman of the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria in Kano state, Muhammad Abubakar affirmed that they have reached an agreement with the anti-graft agency and will sell their product to direct outlets to avoid inflation.

He also called on the government to create a way for them to access paddy rice in order to make the product available in markets.

“We have agreed that we get a direct outlet to sell the products to avoid inflation. WWecomplained that the paddy markets have closed and is difficult to access it.

“We called on the government to create a window for them to access the paddy rice in order to make the product available in the market,” the chairman said.