President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday hinted that the new policies governing imports currently being prepared by the Economic Management Team would have a five-year tenure.
This, the president, said would enable the government, its agencies and other stakeholders to embark on long-term planning.
Jonathan who stated this yesterday while speaking to a four-man delegation of directors of the Flour Mills Nigeria Ltd led by its Chairman Mr. George Coumantaros at the State House, Abuja said only those who have invested in specific sectors would be allowed to import the short-fall to meet national needs.
Jonathan said, “the policies being prepared by the Economic Management Team will have a tenure of five years so that investors can plan on a long term basis” and added that the policies were aimed at encouraging those interested in doing business in Nigeria.
“For instance, only those who are in large-scale rice or sugar production will be allowed to import rice or sugar, on a quota to be determined by appropriate authorities, similar to the current policy in the cement sector”.
The president who added that he was committed to the revival of agriculture, said “agriculture is being taken very seriously, we want to revolutionise the sector ”.
He commended Mr. Coumantaros for the confidence he has in Nigeria and pledged that government would continue to perform its regulatory functions with due consideration for the interests of all parties.