Nigerian President Takes Charge of Economic Planning

VOA

26 May 2011

Nigerian President Takes Charge of Economic Planning

Scott Stearns

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he will lead Nigeria's economic team in his new Cabinet, replacing the finance minister as the country's chief financial planner.

Jonathan says he will push to raise import tariffs on rice and sugar to better protect domestic producers, with the goal of ending all rice imports within four years.  The president says Nigeria will never be a leading economy if it continues to import basic commodities such as oil and food, and does not increasing the local value added to agriculture, solid minerals, and oil and gas.

In a meeting with business leaders, Jonathan recommitted himself to improving the supply of electricity.