By Anthony Agbo – Abakaliki/
There’s a deal for those who patronize products from Abakaliki Rice Mill in Ebonyi State.
According to Hon Ogodo Samuel, the caretaker chairman of the Rice mill in Abakaliki, the state capital, merchants and members of the public will get rice of international standard with good and sustainable services to buyers from any part of the country.
Samuel told reporters about the high quality of the rice during an interactive session. He also spoke about his experiences and challenges so far since assumption of office as the new chairman of the sector in March 2019.
Reacting to sharp practices by some rice dealers who sell with substandard measurement bowls thereby causing distrust in the market, Samuel said that he had ordered immediate disposal of such instruments from the mill and anyone found guilty of such practices would be dealt with according to the rules and regulations governing all operations within his jurisdiction.
On the issue of multiple taxations as one of the plights of the people at the mill, the chairman said that the tax implemented by the outgoing administration was still obtainable and operational.
He said, “This administration has fought so well to abolish unwarranted and unapproved taxation in the rice mill and by this putting a stop and been a watchdog for any amalgamated union operating in the mill.”
Few weeks ago, it was discovered that there was a robbery attack at the mills that led to the death of a rice dealer, leaving about two others seriously wounded by bullets, and the police have been deployed to the area for a 24/7 surveillance due to the effort of the chairman in safeguarding the lives of his people and the customers.
He assured that such occurrence will not be encountered again by the grace of God and the efforts of the police and other security agencies deployed to the area in making sure there is a smooth daily running of all activities in the mill would not be in vain.
Samuel applauded the state governor, Engr David Umahi, for what he described as his burning desire to restructure the rice mill. He, however, asked that the government should do more for the mill in terms of funding.
He said, “As soon as I was made the chairman of the Ebonyi rice mill, a committee was set up to make sure that accurate and dignified approaches to issues are made, accordingly under my supervision. When I came into office I discovered a lot of factors agitating the rice mill, and first is the issue of underweighted rice, the adaptation of rice and the porous nature of the environment as it is a sharp contrast to the standard of Ebonyi State at the moment as regards development.”
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