The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has faulted the plan by the federal government to import 100 rice mills from China for distribution to states.

In a press release on Tuesday, the president of the chamber Mr Goodie Ibru said the acquisition of the mills should be done by the private sector with the support of government.

According to him, the plan negates the policy thrust in economic management that government would concentrate on the provision of enabling environment and institutions to support the growth of private enterprises.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, had recently announced that with the federal government’s determination to meet its target of making the country self-sufficient in rice production by 2015, the Ministry will be importing 100 large-scale mills to boost rice production in the country.

The rice mills are expected to put in place the capacity to produce 2.1 million tonnes of rice.