…Says Rice Importation Not Banned
The Nigeria Customs Service said it seized rice worth N774m, a total of 11,034 (50kg) brought into the country through the borders in the first three quarters of 2016.
According to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS),Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, the importation of rice in Nigeria is not banned, adding that there is only a restriction on the point of entry to the seaports.
Ali who said these at a press briefing with newsmen, noted that the restriction was informed by the high level of non compliance by rice importers who resort to large scale smuggling of the products.
The Comptroller General further explained that the ways some smugglers bring these products through land borders into the country are questionable and posses a high risk to health.
According to him; “Our seizures had revealed several ingenious but devilish ways of smuggling into the country what we consume as food. We have seen rice conveyed in open wooden canoes across creeks and water ways with generous amount of dirty water splashing on them, some stuffed inside any available crevice and compartment of vehicles.”
He said that Samples of such seized rice were taken and referred to NAFDAC to ascertain their condition and when tested showed they were unsafe for human consumption, adding that NCS has intensified its anti- smuggling patrols to provide additional capability and bite.
He encouraged Nigerians to patronize locally grown rice so as to protect the local industry and consumption of unwholesome rice with health implications.
Also, the Acting Director-General NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Onu, said the agency is aligning with NCS on the ban of importation of rice through land borders by the Presidency.
This she said would reduce the amount of foreign exchange used in the importation of rice, reduce loss of revenue through smuggling activities and grow the milling of local rice through the promotion of strategic investment in Local rice production.
She added also that records from the agencies laboratories have shown that the rice products imported through the sea ports are registered and are of good quality, while those smuggled through the land borders are not registered and largely substandard.
Source: Per second news
