Akpan Umoh, Uyo
Sen. Ita Enang has urged the Federal Government to prohibit the importation of agro-machinery and inputs as the country has enough mechanical engineers to manufacture the agro-machines locally.
He noted that Nigerian engineers can produce machinery and inputs for mechanised agriculture to produce enough food for the country’s teeming population.
Enang stated this in his keynote address at the 37th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Uyo on Wednesday.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the conference is: “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Food Production and Managing Climate Change.”
Enang, who is the former Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, noted that this was the best time for all 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 can provide and even improvise machinery 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.
Enang 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 the importation of food.
He said that it is far better and economically advantageous to the nation to produce rice locally than to spend money and time on importation.
He added that the government should expedite action in 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 become 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 their profession and the world at large.
Mohammed said that as the world was grappling with the challenges of food security and climate change, 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 in providing opportunities for professional growth over the years.