Sen. Ita Enang has advised the Federal Government to prohibit the importation of agro-machineries and inputs in order to encourage their production locally by the country’s mechanical engineers.
Enang gave the advice in a keynote address at the 37th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers on Wednesday in Uyo.
He said that Nigerian engineers have the capacity to produce machineries and inputs for mechanised agriculture for enhanced food production in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is, “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Food Production and Managing Climate Change.”
According to Enang, a former Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, this is the best time for all the states and Local Governments to utilise available land in their states 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 the country.
“There should be total prohibition,” Enang said.
He called on Nigerians to embrace agriculture and return to farm, describing it as the only way to boost food production, instead of depending on the 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 for importation.
He further urged the government to expedite action toward 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 government at all levels to deploy the research products and inventions of engineers to boost agriculture, citing China’s experience in the years of her economic challenges.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the institution, Mr Alhassan Mohammed, described the theme as apt, saying that it impacted both on their profession and the world at large.
Mohammed said that as the world grappled with the challenges of food security and climate change, mechanical engineers were ready to play 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 advancements in these areas,” he said.
He also said that the institution had made great strides in providing opportunities over the years for professional growth. (NAN)
