Ban on importation of rice through land borders still in force, says Customs

Ban on importation of rice through land borders still in force, says Customs

Saturday, October 8, 2016 11:22 pm


Imported rice

Imported rice

 

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

 

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has denied online publications purporting that it has reversed the ban on importation of rice through the country’s land borders.

NCS Public Relations Officer, Deputy-Comptroller Wale Adeniyi denied the purported reversal in a statement.

According to the Service:”It has become necessary to re-state the true position in view of the confusion which these online publications may create in the industry. It is even more expedient to provide this clarification given that the fact that the Service has taken a firm position earlier in the week through a joint press conference with Stakeholders.

“The importation of Rice remains banned through our Land Borders, and we have the commitment of Partner Government Agencies and Stakeholders to enforce this restriction. While this restriction is in force, Rice imports through the Ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant charges.

” It is equally important to restate the confidence of the Nigeria Customs Service in the ability of Nigerian Rice Producers to fill the existing sufficiency gaps in the supply of the product. The Service has noted with satisfaction the ongoing Rice Revolution undertaken by many State Governments, and Strategic Interventions by Federal Government Agencies.

The state further clarified that “The Service is convinced that the bumper harvests expected from these efforts will address the supply gap in 2017. It is our belief that continuous waste of scarce forex on a commodity that can be produced locally makes no economic sense, most especially at a period of recession. The Service will therefore advocate a total Ban on Rice Importation into Nigeria with effect from 2017.

The Service express worry that the publications that resurfaced this weekend were being attributed to a Press interview granted in October 2015.

Adeniyi a Deputy Comptroller said Customs strongly suspect that some powerful forces behind Rice Smuggling are at work, recycling an old report under a different circumstance to create confusion.

It urged Nigerians to watch out for similar antics as the firm stand on Rice smuggling will pitch their selfish interest against our national interest.

 


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