FG approves N1.1bn for anti-rice smuggling task force

The Federal Government has approved N1.128billion for the purchase of 50 operational vehicles to be deployed towards the purchase of anti-rice smuggling task force for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The approval was made on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa, Abuja.

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, while briefing the State House correspondents shortly after the FEC meeting, said that the council approved N1.28billion the purchase of 50 vehicles as part of government’s efforts to end importation of rice.

She further disclosed that the contractor is Elizade and the value is N1.12 billion.

According to Adeosun, the federal government is taking the measure in order to stop Customs from going to the markets to seize imported rice.

She said, “As you know, efforts to become major rice producers has resulted in the revival of local rice growing. What we have found is 90 per cent reduction in the official import of rice but smuggling has increased and of course, our borders are very, very porous.

“Now, we believe that to protect our farmers, to protect the investment that people have gone back to the farm for, the federal government must really act to stem the tide of illegal rice importation and rice smuggling.

“So, there is a multi-task force agency that has been working since last July which includes Customs, NAFDAC, the Consumer Protection Council, the Ministry of Finance, the Trade Mark Practices Bureau, gathering information on how this rice is coming in. What are the key entry points? And mapping out how we are going to have effective strategy to stop it.”

“Customs officers should actually stop rice coming in at border points and they indicated that they need additional vehicles, additional resources as well as more information driven measures that will be taken.”

She also disclosed that a memo was presented to the council for approval to purchase 81 units of two bedroom flats for the Nigeria Customs Service.

Adeosun said the property located in Idu, Gwari district, Life Camp is “ for use as barracks for Customs officers within the Abuja area”.

Adeosun also said that the “ total amount is N1.2 billion. We are purchasing them from Brains and Hammers City”.