Food imports down by $2bn – Jonathan

The Federal Government has said that food imports into the country have been reduced by more than $2 billion by various transformation programmes undertaken carried out in the sector.
President Goodluck Jonathan who made this known at the official opening of Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize Economic Forum in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, maintained that such efforts would be further strengthened inorder to achieve the MDG goals in food production and availability.
Jonathan who was represented by Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo and also bagged a prize for Leadership, National Cohesion and Stability at the event, stated that his administration has also put measures in place to encourage the production of 1.5 million and two million tonnes of rice locally.
“In addition in the last three years, the Federal Government has established 12 new, functional universities in the country to address specific areas of development.” he said.
On the control of Ebola Virus Disease, he restated the government’s commitment to preventing further outbreak and spread of the disease and assured of the country’s readiness to support other countries in the world to eradicate the disease.
He recalled that the his administration recently released a take-off grant of N220 billion to support small medium enterprises in Nigeria and has prioritized power supply and hoped that by 2018-2020, the country would be able to produce about 20,000 megawatts for transmission.
He, however, lauded Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom for hosting the foundation which coincided with the celebration of 100 years millennium goal and its 54th independence anniversary and for transforming the state through major infrastructure.
Earlier, Governor Akpabio had thanked President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo for the proper handling of Ebola disease and the federal government for sending about 500 health workers to Sierra Leone to control the disease.
President of Millennium Excellence Foundation, James Victor Gbeho had informed that the forum was meant to generate ideas for the development of Africa.
Gbeho said that the choice of hosting the forum in Uyo was to showcase the achievements of Akwa Ibom State and to let the world have a glimpse of infrastructural development for other states and countries to emulate.
Other distinguished Africans who were awarded included a Rwandan economist and President of African Development Bank, Mr. Donald Kabueruka; Chelsea FC of England star , Didier Drogba; marathon champion, Haile Gebrselassie and a former Malian Prime Minister, Cheick Modibo Diaraa is to receive a Prize for Scientific Research in Africa.