Former Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, has urged the Federal Government to prohibit the importation of agro-machineries and inputs as the country has enough mechanical engineers to manufacture the agro-machines locally.
He noted that Nigerian engineers are able to produce machineries and inputs for mechanised agriculture to produce enough food for the nation’s teeming population.
Enang said these in his keynote address at the 37th International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday.
Our Correspondent reports that the theme of the conference is: “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Food Production and Managing Climate Change.”
Enang said further that this was the best time for all states and Local Governments to utilise available land in their states and areas to produce food, instead of waiting for oil money.
“The Federal Government should ban and indeed prohibit the importation of Agro-machineries and inputs from other countries as Nigerian Engineers are able to provide and even improvise machineries for agricultural engagements in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government should halt every action to encourage food import and cause food import provisions and enhancers to be deployed to emergency food production in-country. There should be total prohibition,” Enang said.
He called on all Nigerians to embrace agriculture and return to the farm as it is the only way to boost food production, instead of depending on importation of food.
He said that it is far better and economically advantageous to the nation to produce rice locally, than spending money and time on importation.
He added that government should expedite action on the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries just like it established the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, from the Ministry of Water Resources to boost livestock production in the country.
Enang also called on governments at all levels to deploy the research products and inventions of Engineers to enhance agriculture just as China did in the years of her challenges, which helped them to come out to be one of the best world models.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Mr. Alhassan Mohammed, said that the theme was apt as it impacted both on their profession and the world at large.
Mohammed said that as the world was grappling with challenges of food security and climate change, the mechanical engineers were ready to play a vital role in bringing solutions to the challenges.
“This gathering offers a platform for us to exchange ideas, share knowledge and forge partnerships that will further the advancements in these areas,” he said.
He said that the Institution has made great strides towards providing opportunities for professional growth over the years.
