Ebonyi rice millers hail govt’s ban on use of scale machine
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ban by the Ebonyi Government has led to a sharp reduction in the price of rice by about 15 per cent to 20 per cent for 25kg and 50kg.
The 25kg, popularly known as bushel, sold between N18,000 and N20,000 as at November, now sells for between N15,000 and N16,000, depending on the grade of the rice.
Also, 50kg now sells for between N30,000 and N32,000, depending on the quality and grade.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Daniel Chukwuma, said in an interview with NAN in Abakiliki on Monday that the reintroduction of bushel for rice measurement “has brought a boost to our business.
“Former Gov. Dave Umahi introduced the use of scale machine in the state, especially the rice mill market.
“Since then, many of our members have been recording low sales because there are many uneducated ones among us.
“But the reintroduction of bushel is helping both the educated and uneducated.
“We thank the governor and the leadership of Abakaliki rice mill owners for the reintroduction of the bushel.
“I believe this will help the local farmers and traders in the state,” Chukwuma said.
According to him, the return to the use of bushel measurement would put an end to the fraudulent activities of some traders in the mill market, who adjusted their scale to cheat unsuspecting buyers.
“Some people will buy a bushel of 25kg but when they go to the scale to measure it, some would get 18kg, 19kg or 20kg.
“So, the use of bushel measurement will bring more transparency.
“We, the traders, who supply companies with rice are happy over the development,” Chukwuma said.
Also, the Secretary of the association, Ikechukwu Nwede, said millers in the market could now breathe, pointing out that the use of bushel measurement boosts their sales.
“We are happy over the reintroduction of bushel measurement.
“Those of us who are not happy are some of the bag eggs among us, who defraud customers, using adjusted scale machines,” Nwede said.
A trader, Mrs Obasi Martina, said she was happy over the development, pointing out that the new measure has brought an end to sharp practices in the market.
