The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd),
has lifted the ban of importation of rice at border stations.
has lifted the ban of importation of rice at border stations.
Ali also re-introduced the payment of import duty on all
land borders across the Nigeria.
land borders across the Nigeria.
The customs
spokesman, Mr Wale Adeniyi, in a statement said “Over the years importation has
been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it
difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.
spokesman, Mr Wale Adeniyi, in a statement said “Over the years importation has
been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it
difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.
“When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken it was not an
effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using
different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals
– putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.
effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using
different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals
– putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.
“These new measures will be for customs to reognise their
anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those
importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay
their extant duty.”
anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those
importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay
their extant duty.”
Recently, Hameed Ali said 99 per cent of rice smuggled
through the land borders are not fit for human consumption.
through the land borders are not fit for human consumption.
