Nigerian Rice Millers Threaten to Shutdown Warehouses

Rice millers in Nigeria have declared that they would shut down some of their plants in parts of the country following the destruction of some of their mills by protesters.
The association disclosed this in statement issued in Abuja and signed by its president, Peter Dama.
The new development comes against the background of the violence and arson that greeted the widespread #EndSARS protests across the country.
Numerous warehouses were looted by hoodlums and residents in most part of the country earlier in the week.
Dealers under the aegis of Rice Millers Association of Nigeria said they were taken aback by the devastating destruction and looting carried out against members of the association.

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“RIMAN is shocked and sad at the level of havoc that was carried out on these rice mills and other government and private properties within the country,” the association’s National President, Mr Dama, said.
“The resultant impact on these rice mills will create some deficits in our members’ contribution to national food security and rice value chain, as the affected rice mills will be shut down for a while at this critical period with huge debts to pay.”
RIMAN stated that some of the affected mills included Shamad Rice Mill, Yola; Glams Foods, Lagos.
“This act is condemnable, highly regrettable and insensitive,” said Mr Dama.

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“Regrettably, during these attacks, tonnes of milled rice, paddy, furniture, machines, equipment and operational vehicles were destroyed and looted, while some parts of buildings were set ablaze.”
RIMAN also called on government to urgently assist the rice millers with funds to rebuild and restock their warehouse.
They argued that most of them took loans to run their businesses.