Brazil to invest in rice production, housing in Nigeria

Brazilian investors on Monday in Abuja said they were ready to invest in the agriculture, civil construction, housing, waste management and energy sectors of the economy.

Evaldo Silva Junior, the Leader of a Brazilian delegation, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bulus Lolo.

Silva said that the delegation, which represented various companies from Brazil, was in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities in the country.

He said that the investors were willing to invest in rice, to complement the local production and meet the consumption demand of Nigerians.

Silva said that Brazil was one of the largest producers of rice in the world, while Nigeria was one of the largest consumers of the staple food.

He said that Rio Grande do Sul, one of the companies, produced 70 per cent of rice in Brazil and South America.

According to him, Brazil’s experience will be brought to bear to assist Nigeria in growing and processing of rice, to meet the need of its people.

The Brazilian said that the delegation would also invest in waste management and bio-fuel production, to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing the challenges in the areas.

Silva said that the investors were also interested in civil construction and housing for the low income earners.

He said that they were ready to duplicate a housing technology used for such project in Brazil.

Amb. Ozo Nwobu, Director of the Department of Public and Bilateral Affairs, received the delegation on behalf of the permanent secretary.

Nwobu lauded the decision of the investors and urged other embassies in the country to emulate Brazil by attracting investors to Nigeria.

Nwobu said that the investors’ decision was commendable, as it would help Nigeria to build its capacity in rice production and food chains in the country and the West Africa sub region.

He said that Nigeria was in a serious moment that required the cooperation of all and sundry, to bring into reality the desired change that the country needed.

“We must hold ourselves ready to work with the developmental partners, to make the desired change a reality. Change must start within; we need development to make it a reality,” he said.